How a Fashion Influencer Surprised a Hotel Worker—and the Internet—with the Ultimate Tip
Fashion Week. The lobby’s buzzing, designer bags and dazzling smiles everywhere you look. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to work the front desk during a major event, imagine a reality show where everyone’s beautiful, everyone’s in a hurry, and you—the humble hotel staff—are the glue holding the glitter together.
That’s the scene for Redditor u/PithyUsername1, who expected Fashion Week to be a blur of polite but entitled guests. But what happened next completely flipped their assumptions: a “down-to-earth” influencer, a chat about food, a simple favor, and—wait for it—the largest tip of their life: a $200 Calvin Klein gift card. Suddenly, the world of influencers wasn’t quite as shallow as it seemed.
When Influencers Go Off-Script: Kindness in the Age of Selfies
Let’s be honest: “influencer” isn’t always a word that inspires warm feelings among hospitality workers. As one commenter, u/ToaKongu1, lamented, “That’s what we call a unicorn. Don’t get used to it.” Encounters with camera-toting guests can be more headache than highlight. But this story turns the stereotype on its head.
Our OP paints the scene: a friendly chat with a young woman waiting in the lobby, talking shop about the world of fashion influencing, and swapping restaurant recommendations. No diva behavior, no demands for upgrades, just genuine interest and appreciation.
When the influencer requests extra water in her room (a surprisingly common theme, as several commenters noted—what IS it with bottled water and hotels?), OP goes above and beyond. The next day, not only does the guest rave about the restaurant recommendation, but she thanks OP for the water with a Calvin Klein gift card. OP’s reaction? “Floored.”
And the Reddit community felt the shockwaves, too. “She figured out you can get more flies with honey than with vinegar,” u/Odd-Lifeguard-2202 noted, summing up the rare magic of a truly kind guest in a world of ‘meh’ interactions.
Tipping Tales: From Guinness to Gucci (and... Pickles?)
The gift card story opened the floodgates for tales of extraordinary (and sometimes downright bizarre) tips from the service industry trenches. Forget the standard five or ten bucks—Reddit’s front desk warriors have seen it all.
Take u/sdrawkcabstiho, who was handed ten pre-rolls and six edibles from a guest who couldn’t take his “souvenirs” through Canadian customs. For some, the best tips weren’t even money: “The six pack of Guinness is probably the best,” u/SkwrlTail reminisced, while u/skaadii received a pair of Easter bunny sunglasses and a pickle (yes, a real one) as a gratuity.
There were heartwarming stories, too. u/dogwomancali shared the tale of an elderly British couple on their 60th anniversary, who pressed a single pound coin into her hand. “I felt like I’d been given the moon,” she wrote. The value wasn’t in the currency, but in the heartfelt gesture. As u/RedneckAngel83 discovered, sometimes the best tips come anonymously—a Christmas card filled with $1,000 from a grateful Air Force guest, signed only “A Friend.”
And then there are the legendary cash drops: $300 for assembling a care package, $200 for helping with luggage, or—as one deleted user recalled—a $1,000 chip from TV comedy legend Tim Conway while cocktailing at a high-roller’s baccarat table.
The Art—and Luck—of Generosity
So what makes a great tip? Luck, timing, and, above all, genuine connection. It’s not always about the money. Sometimes it’s a pair of concert tickets, homemade cookies from a grateful retiree, or a mason jar of “green” left behind by a guest who can’t take it on a plane (as u/GreatSkyWhale wryly observed).
Yet, even with these unicorns of generosity, most service workers know not to expect a windfall. As u/ToaKongu1 warned, “Happy for you, really. But don’t get used to it.” The reality is, for every influencer who leaves a designer tip, there are countless guests whose names (and attitudes) are best forgotten.
But the stories that stick—the ones people share for years—are the moments when kindness and surprise meet. Whether it’s a $200 Calvin Klein shopping spree or a care package for a stressed-out student, these gestures make the hard days worth it. As OP reflected after their Fashion Week encounter, “I used to roll my eyes at influencers, but she flipped the script with her warm personality and extraordinary generosity!”
What’s Your Best Tip—Monetary or Otherwise?
The outpouring of stories on Reddit shows just how powerful a small act of gratitude can be. It’s not just about the cash or the gift cards (though those certainly help when you’re living on front desk pay!). It’s the smiles, the connections, and sometimes, just the right words at the right time.
So next time you check out of a hotel, order a pizza, or even just chat with someone making your day a little easier—remember the power of a tip, in any form. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll inspire a story as memorable as this one.
What’s the biggest or most meaningful tip you’ve ever received—or given? Share your story in the comments below!
Original Reddit Post: An Influencer Proved Me Wrong with an Unforgettable Tip