One of the amazing things about working in a nice restaurant is that absolute strangers willingly hand me thousands of dollars worth of diamonds and trust me to keep it safe for them for several hours. For every diamond-ring-hidden-in-the-dessert proposal, there's a server in the back of the restaurant wondering what the hell they are supposed to do with the jewelry until it's time for the big reveal.
I'm sorry to say that during its time in the back of the house, that little bauble is taking quite a journey. The rest of the staff usually want to see it, either to share an envious sigh at a huge rock, or sarcastic remarks at a tiny ice chip. I've seen female servers take the ring out and try it on, then delicately attempt to re-wrap the bow so it looks picture perfect (not me, I swear. That's bad mojo). If the box is wrapped up too tightly, they aren't above shaking it like a present on Christmas Eve -- does it jingle like a tennis bracelet or is it silent like a pair of earrings?
When it's finally time to unveil the bling, I have to become an actor for my guest. I hate this part, but I dance like the little trained monkey that I am. One lady made me present all of her friends with blue boxes on a serving tray; her prepared remarks were my "lines." Last night's Tiffany treat happened to be an anniversary gift, "to be presented with the wine" as a surprise for my customer's wife. "Mrs. Smith I poured your glass of wine and look what else came out!" Also, I feel stupid.
Aside from the theatrics, the surprise gift is one of the more fun things I get to do at my job. Hopefully, if I can pull it off well and score some points for the gift-giver, they can spend any money they still have left on a nice fat gratuity for me. No blue box required.
Store valuables by polished glassware...the only pristinely clean place in a server side station.