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This made news over the last couple of days . . .
Joe Douglas left a $100 tip on to-go order at a River Grille in Chatham, New Jersey. This wasn’t the first time he did this.
“He has the past two times,” bartender Ryan Holston told the New York Post. “I don’t want to scare him off from coming back or anything.”
The man’s star continues to rise.
This story was all over the internet.
I’m sure Douglas didn’t do it for publicity, but somebody from the restaurant went to the press.
And you know what, that’s a good thing with what’s going on right now.
First of all, it publicizes that restaurant in Chatham, and perhaps will create extra take-out business for them now, during a difficult time for businesses.
Secondly, maybe it will influence more people to leave big tips for restaurant workers, who are struggling right now, with many outlets closed, and those open, only allowed to offer take-out and delivery.
I got an e-mail from a local restaurant by where I live that said the following:
“We wanted to take a moment to thank all our Guests for their amazing support during this difficult time. Your generosity to our Team Members in the form of gratuities has been above and beyond, and they truly appreciate it.”
It’s wonderful that some people who have the means to do this, to help our restaurant workers, are leaving large tips.
This story made Douglas’ “Q” rating go up even more, and it’s high to begin with right now in Jets Nation.
He’s very popular. Some might argue that the discontent some have with Adam Gase, whether this is fair or not, has helped Douglas star rise.
Perhaps, but his own behavior, and how he carries himself, has also helped. He has an “it” factor.
This story is just the “tip” of the iceberg.
While he took some heat from some for not spending like a drunken sailor in free agency, you could make a strong argument his plan made more sense than the plan of the former regime, which was guilty of profligate spending, with little to show for it.
Time will tell if Douglas’ off-season work in free agency (and the draft) works out, but the fact that he drew a line in the sand with agents, and let them know who the boss was, and made it clear the Jets aren’t going overpay to get players to wear green and white.
The Jordan Jenkins-deal was right on target. Douglas didn’t listen to media numbers, he set his own. Same with Robby Anderson, who’s past makes him a risky long-term deal candidate. Hey, he didn’t even get that from Carolina and his college coach.
Next step – Douglas gets to tackle the virtual draft in the NFL’s brave new world.
And this draft might be more GM-centric than any draft in history – nobody in the room pounding the table for players – everyone is in a different location. The GM is isolated – it’s more his show than ever before.
We will see how Douglas does in this draft.
And while it’s early, reading the tea leaves so far, Jets fans should have a good feeling about this guy.
And so should that bartender.
April 8, 2020
