In 2021, many if not most wait staff could be making as much money collecting unemployment checks—and yet they choose to go to work knowing they will be understaffed. This is virtuous and morally heroic. Especially on a holiday like Labor Day. So if you can afford to go out to eat, consider leaving a substantial tip.
As in, the waitress gasps when she sees it.
If you are able, you would intervene to stop a wrong from being committed (ie a thief robbing an elderly woman in a parking lot). Likewise, if you are able, you should intervene to encourage people when they’re doing the right thing. Especially when it’s not easy.
And right now it’s not easy to be a waitress.
You can be the air support for the heroes fighting the ground war of this messed up, inflationary, politicized, lockdown economy. Bombs away.