“Don’t Tell Us How To Spend Our Money”: Big Spender Shows SA How To Tip Generously

• A Facebook post revealed a restaurant bill of R7,408.40 with a R1,500 tip, sparking online discussion
• Netizens debated tipping culture, social media lifestyle trends, and the impact of generous gestures on service staff
• The viral post prompted reflections on luxury spending, aspirational lifestyles, and norms around tipping in South Africa

South Africans were captivated by a viral Facebook post showing a massive restaurant bill with an impressive tip, leading to lively debates about tipping culture and lifestyle trends.

On 14 September 2025, Facebook user Qhakaza Makoti O Mbali posted a photo of a restaurant receipt totalling R7,408.40. What caught attention was the tip of R1,500, bringing the total spend to R9,208.40. The post quickly went viral with over 200 comments. The post reflected both generosity and a bold lifestyle choice, igniting discussions about tipping habits in South Africa.

The receipt revealed a large number of items, suggesting a celebration or a gathering. Netizens compared the extravagant spending to local tipping norms, where 10–15% is typical, noting that Mbali’s tip exceeded 20%. Social media users reacted with admiration, jokes, and debate about luxury spending, while others celebrated the generosity towards service staff.

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Jaw-dropping tip sparks conversation

This viral moment sparked conversations around lifestyle, social media trends, and spending culture in South Africa. Many users reflected on the contrast between everyday budgets and Mbali’s approach, while others found it motivational or aspirational for personal goals.

The post also encouraged reflection on tipping etiquette and fairness in the hospitality industry. Amid rising living costs, such a generous tip stood out as a rare example of extreme generosity. It sparked debates about whether tipping should remain a token of appreciation or become a statement of personal wealth and lifestyle.

Mzansi reacted to the Facebook post:

ULwando LwamaBhele Sishuta said:

"There seems to be a level of entitlement to my hard-earned salary, umntu akunike bad service and expect a hefty tip, I would rather be called stingy or a broke ass. And I will go out to eat at a fancy restaurant, but I will not be forced to tip; already, my being there helps pay for your salary."

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Otshepeng Morebodi commented:

"Imagine you telling us what to do with our money."

Emily Mokomane wrote:

"We can collect the food ourselves, you know, we don't mind."

Sbahle Cele-Masokameng said:

"Don't you get a salary? Me giving you a tip is a sign of gratitude, not an obligation. You have a very high sense of entitlement to our finances. I'm not there to pay your salary, I'm there to eat. Will give a tip if I feel like it, sir."

Fokase MamakaMarvin said:

"I refuse shem, not that much, but I do tip."

Ntombie Magaba Madela wrote:

"I'm a firm believer in tipping based on the quality of service. If the service is exceptional, I tip generously. If it's subpar, I adjust accordingly. It's about showing appreciation for good service and encouraging improvement when it's lacking."

Maprince Okafor said:

"I work so hard for my money, and I will not be told where and how I should spend my money. The tipping culture is now an entitlement; it's not my responsibility to pay a waitress; it's the employer's responsibility to pay its employees. I will definitely tip from the goodness of my heart and regard it as giving, not a 'must'. It's totally wrong to tell people that they can't afford to eat at certain restaurants because they don't want to tip; it's their prerogative to do or not do so."

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Jolese Jonas commented:

"I tip based on service received, I once went to a restaurant service was so horrible I wanted to leave food took hours to come the waiter had a bad attitude I was like there's no way I'm tipping, upon asking for my bill to pay there was was service fee aka tip added to my bill I was so shocked, is that even legal to add 10% service fee to bill if service was horrible."

Check out the Facebook post below:

3 Briefly News stories related to restaurant bills

• A Port Elizabeth Facebook user shared a restaurant bill showing a R765.50 meal with a R34.50 tip.
• A local woman at a restaurant was filmed reacting with shock after seeing the bill for her meal with friends.
• A Reddit post about a bill from a South African-inspired restaurant in Manchester quickly caught attention online.

Source: Briefly News