ST. LOUIS - The note at the top of a restaurant receipt reads simply, "I give God 10%, why do you get 18?"

The scribbled comment left at a St. Louis Applebee's set off viral mayhem. The waitress who posted it online was fired, and the customer who wrote it vilified.

The customer who described herself on the receipt as a pastor shared appetizers with eight or nine friends on Jan. 25. The group was large enough that an automatic 18 percent tip was added to the bill.

The customer paid the tip, but the snarky note prompted another waitress to post a photo of the receipt on the website Reddit. She was fired.

Applebee's President Mike Archer said Friday that customers deserve privacy and the note violated the company's social media policy.

You may also like...

Prostitute Roundup: 78 arrested in online sex sting

Sex blog: Tampa area school CFO busted over her dirty sex porn blog *warning, GRAPHIC*  

Nasty Nasty Dining: 10 of the nastiest restaurants in Tampa Bay in 2012

The KING lives:  Never before seen pictures of Elvis found in Florida warehouse

Forgive me Father: Priest calls 911 after getting stuck in handcuffs

Faces of Meth: Before and After pictures

Take us with you: Download the 10 News app for your iPad

Yowtch! Teen accidentally shoots off his penis, testicle

Political Pooch: What happened to Gov. Rick Scott's dog Reagan?

Hate crime? Middle Eastern man shot at Walmart for dating white girl 

Bikini Photos: 2012 Hooters International Swimsuit Pageant

Not racist? Restaurant says 'How to catch an illegal immigrant' t-shirt is not racist 

Marijuana candy: Cops say weed candy is newest drug on the street

Money Mondays: How you can search for unclaimed cash

Sex Offender Mugshots: Look up Florida Sex Offenders here

Bikinis, mud, trucks: The Redneck Yacht Club

Photos: Ex-Charlie Sheen Goddess Bree Olson

Naughty Schoolgirls: Naughty schoolgirl night at Tampa club pictures

Outrageous mug shot galleries...

Strange: Some of the most unusual mug shots we've seen

Notorious Women: Bad girls behind bars

Teachers: Teacher arrest mugshots

Celebrities: The rich and famous have their own booking photos

Jaw droppers: Open mouth mug shots

Laughers: What's so funny mug shots

Prostitutes: Prostitute mug shots

Athletes: Professional athlete mug shots 

Porn arrests: Child porn arrest mug shots 

Local Mugs: Hillsborough County Mug shots

More unusual mug shots and galleries: 10 News slideshows and galleries