Waitress, a Former Marine, Stiffed on Tip Because of 'Lifestyle'

A waitress at the Gallop Asian Bistro was shortchanged her tip on a $93 dinner tab Wednesday by a customer who claimed to disagree with her lifestyle.

Dayna Morales, described as an "androgynous lesbian" and former U.S. Marine on the Instinct Magazine website, has taken her case to the Internet.

Morales posted a copy of the charge receipt for the meal at the Route 202 restaurant showing the customer's handwritten message, "Sorry but I cannot tip because I don't agree with your lifestyle and how you live your life" on the "Have a Gay Day" Facebook page.

According to the post, Morales said she was offended and hurt by the woman's attitude and comments, noting she served in the Marines "to keep ignorant people like them free."

"Not only was it a family with two kids, but as I introduced myself and tell them my name is Dayna, the mom proceeds to look at me and say, 'Oh, I thought you were gonna say your name is Dan,'" Morales is quoted on the Instinct website. "Sorry lady but I don't agree with your lifestyle and the way you're raising your kids but you didn't see me throwing that in your face and giving you (bad) service."

Morales said if the woman didn't have two children with her, she may have responded differently.

Gallop Asian Bistro did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday, but the restaurant's owner verified the story and added his support for Morales on the restaurant's Facebook page.

"Dayna is one of our absolute best servers working here at Gallop," Byron Lapola wrote. "We as a team were deeply hurt by the events that transpired. I myself as the general manager took it personal as my team treats each other like a family.

"I made sure that Dayna was compensated for the tip, as for emotionally I wish there was much more I could do," he added. "One thing I can say is that people of that woman's kind business is not welcome here at Gallop, and I can assure you that if they decide to dine here again that they will be turned away."