5 weeks ago, around 7 pm, I took a stacked order (2 orders) from IMOs…in opposite directions…

I’m a delivery driver, just so we’re clear.

The first order was east, but closer. The order with a tip was west. And I’m one who tends to deliver to those who tipped first (within reason), but with the new weird timer on the delivery platform, the task west was faster.

The moment I saw the address, it was followed by this sense of…

“this one may be a bit of a turd.”

I brushed it off, thinking…“nah, it’ll be easy.”

Nope. Nope. I mean, it wasn’t horrible, it was more uncomfortable than anything else. But…still, it was odd.

The address said 2094 Apple Rd: suite 217.

And my mind went…

“oh, yeah, the hotel by the interstate, opposite of the hotel I usually deliver to…simple.”

But the picture on the app showed two lines that looked like a flat lawn chair. That didn’t look right. I head to 2094 and pull into a plaza that was like a dive bar/martial art studio (I could be wrong, the place was beyond packed with blinding headlights all over).

Anyways, I find a spot, and call the customer twice.

Nothing. Just an AI bot telling me the customer couldn’t be reached and to leave a message after the beep.

I do, both times, then recall the part about ‘suite 217.’

So, I go to the hotel, a good mile and a half away, at 2904 Apple Rd.

Yep, that was the place.

5 years ago, I would’ve pretty sore about it. That night, I was annoyed, with a hint of concern…as in “dude needs to know he’s showing wrong info.”

I get to 217, the door opens and…if Jimmy Stewart were still alive having just returned from his great grandson’s tee ballgame, that was the guy. He came out with both hands, like an excited Boomer organizing his buddy’s bachelor party in Atlantic City.

I gave him the liter of cola, then saw the tan $10 bill in his hand.

In my mind, I’m thinking…

“awesome, a $10 tip will balance out this sudden inconvenience.”

I show him the receipt on the pizza box, and politely say…

“hey, just so you know, the address to your hotel is 2904 Apple. You gave me 2094, that’s nine blocks away. You may want to check your app. Also…you may get bombarded with two voicemails from me, that was me earlier, trying to get a hold of you.”

Jimmy looks at me, then says…

“well…yeah, but the guy who runs the thing…he knows…he knows the destination.”

And I know some of you are probably thinking…

“Cody, it didn’t make sense.”

I agree. I’m still trying to figure out what he meant by that.

Anyways, I reply with…

“Okay, well, whoever made the order gave 2094 Apple Rd (as I point to the receipt) when the real address is 2904, so…if you order anything else, make sure to fix the address.”

Rather than “sorry” or “my mistake” or “thanks for the heads-up,” he says…

“Well…We’ll be gone tomorrow.”

I gave him the pizza and he asks…

“Do you have any change? Sorry, I ran out of fives.”

Remember he’s holding a ten.

Also…this is the only time he ever apologizes. Not for giving me the wrong destination address or not answering the phone, in fact, he couldn’t even admit he got his 9s and 0s mixed up, he had to blame it on some other guy, who may not even exist. He’s apologizing for not having smaller currency.

I shake my head, then check my pockets…

“No, I’m sorry, I don’t have any cash on me.”

Jimmy just stares, and nothing else happens for 15 seconds. He’s not talking, not moving, not handing me the cash. In my mind, he will either close the door or hand me the cash, but…he just looks at me as if he’s expecting me to do a magic trick and manifest a wad of small bills out of the ether.

Finally, I pat my pockets again, then say…

“I’m sorry, I have no cash on me. If you tip me the $10, I’ll be very grateful, but if you don’t, that’s okay, I get a lot of people don’t believe in tipping.”

Jimmy gets a little offended, then almost growls…

“well, of course, I’m gonna tip you. Give me a minute.”

He retreats into the room, and I start texting the other customer, apologizing for the long wait, letting them know the first guy gave the wrong address. I even say, “the guy is ancient, may have some memory issues, apologies on the wait, I’ll get to you ASAP.” They were cool, by the way, they understood the situation, were very grateful, even chuckled at my explanation.

As I press send, I hear, inside the room “clink, clink, clink” on a hard surface, and I’m like…

“nooo…”

Jimmy returns with a handful of quarters.

And most days, I’m like “score!” That night I was in a hurry, on the move.

Jimmy hands me $3.25 in charge.

That’s $3 in quarters. Two dimes and a nickel.

At the moment, especially after the distance and the inconvenience, I saw it as a little insulting. Today, I think it’s hilarious.

Remember, this is the age group who currently runs Congress, the same age group who makes a mistake, then blames the younger generation.

Moral is…double-check your delivery destination.

Also tipping your driver $1 per mile is respectful, and the fastest way to get your order delivered ahead of time. If you can’t, I get it. Times are hard these days. Being generous is very rewarding to the soul, and beneficial in the long run, which is why these little blerps aren’t too bad. But I get it.

If you can’t, at least show genuine gratitude. That’s means a lot.