40 Non-Money Tips That Left A Lasting Impression On These Workers

My bfs mom got tipped a legit katana sword. It was worth a few hundred dollars

A tie-dyed t-shirt. Not all that unusual, but the circumstance was awesome. (I've told the story before - two drunk kids tried to dine and dash, colleague Big Carol noticed and met them in the parking lot with their bill. She came back in with a fistful of coins, which covered the check. When asked about a tip for the waitress, they genuinely had no more money. Carol mentioned that she thought I'd like the shirt one guy was wearing.)

Yes, I still have that shirt 35 years later!

I got a set of gorgeous plates and bowls from this cute family I served a few times. They had to have been expensive. They’re heavy, white, square, just beautiful. I think they told me they were a wedding gift, but they bought a new set.
They came back in and I told them how much they’re used and that I think of them every time I use them! She almost teared up. Such awesome people. Such awesome plates!!

I had a regular who I was pretty close with, we have a similar body type. She was cleaning out her closet and gave me a bag full of (expensive) clothing.

Lawn mower and a Motorcycle jacket. Same dude, different occasions.

Not me, but my wife. Guy came in who was an author of childrens books. They have paper liners on the tables and usually give crayons to kids. This guy ends up drawing a cool picture of some cats and signing it for her. Also left money, but we thought it was pretty cool and still have it. He's not super famous or anything, but he's a legit author and we ended up buying one of his books for our kid.

A regular pinstriped my car. It was really neat. He asked me (obvs) and did it in the lot. He was really old and just a cool old guy. He did a damn good job and it was sweet too. I loved it.
Another was a moving crew who moved my daughter & I out of our home when I left my ex. They saved me a lot of stress, I’m forever grateful.

I used to deliver to a Halloween decoration designer and aside from money he once gave me zombie lawn gnome statues!

A window air conditioner and his hotel key left on his bar stool. Very weird but sure helped out during a very hot summer in my new rental! The key went in the trash. I felt very weird accepting it but it was a very hard time in my life and I look back and thank him for that. Not the key, lol, just the kindness.

I knew someone who got an air fryer and every so often I wonder why they even had an air fryer on them in the first place

Maybe not weirdest but certainly the best. I had a party of 15 celebrating a birthday and they brought in a gigantic fresh cake from one of the incredible Italian bakeries in my city, it was far too much cake for them to finish and they were insistent that I take a piece for myself to bring home. They cut me a massive piece and put it in a takeout container and it was honestly some of the best cake I've had in my entire life. Obligatory to mention, they did tip because of autogratuity on their party and some of the guests also snuck cash into my hand. Not quite what the question was asking but I do think about it from time to time and smile.

My coworker got a Wyoming Goldback last night in her tips. None of us had any idea what it was, but a quick Google search informed us that it's some kind of alternative currency printed in Wyoming, which, according to the Cowboy State Daily news site, is accepted at at least 40 businesses in Wyoming. No, I do not live in or near Wyoming

Not weirdest but my best, homemade apple pie moonshine. I can still taste it in my dreams

A 17 pound watermelon. This 2 weeks ago

Swarovski crystal Tennis bracelet

A friend told me that some guy always ripped in pogs. Like 5-10 pogs. Idk if I believe her. She never showed any to me. But I thought the idea was funny.

Mine wasn't tips, but I will never forget the wonder of working at a high end ice cream shop and having the perk of a free pint every week. After a month or two there I had a full freezer already and knew other people in food service in the area. So we would trade our freebies. My fav was a pint for a bowl of ramen, manager worked there for years and never took the free bowl at that point. So she was happy to give it to me for a pint she could share with her crew.

I never knew food as currency/trade would get me so many free lunches. I miss those days.

I work in a city known for its witches. While I was working during tourist season I received a piece of rose quartz, in addition to a sizable normal tip. Rose quartz is known for having healing properties. I had a little bag crocheted to place it in and wore it around my neck.

An actual Swiss Army knife, I still use it and they also left a cash tip too

A guy gave me a coprolite. That's literally a fossilized piece of s**t. It was super cool.

He asked me if I knew what it was then he'd give it to me. I had just seen a documentary on discover channel when they actually showed them. So I said, "yep that's a piece of poop".

He actually tipped well in cash from his kangaroo s*****m coin purse. Which I did not correctly guess.

I got a stylus pen a couple years ago. The guy was really nice the whole time. When he left, I found a note saying he didn't realize he had only brought a $20 so he left me the dollar and change and said he hoped I enjoy my nice new stylus lol. I wasn't even mad.