“R30 Tip Is an Insult”: South Africans Appalled by 6-Figure Bill's Measly Tip

• A TikTok user shared that someone who racked up a R225 040 bill only gave their waiter a R30 tip
• The person enjoyed a long list of alcoholic beverages, including eight bottles of a champagne co-owned by rapper Jay-Z
• Local members of the online community were shocked and shared their thoughts about the R30 tip

After a man showed the R30 tip for a bill totalling R225 040, many social media users shared how surprised they were by the lack of generosity.

A DJ named Don Wavie, who showcased the viral bill on his TikTok account, shared that the person, or people, enjoyed expensive alcoholic beverages at Views At Twenty5, an urban grill and rooftop lounge in Durban.

According to the receipt, the patrons paid their bill in the early hours of the morning on 19 August 2025 and were referred to as VIP customers.

The biggest portion of the bill, R152 000, was spent on eight bottles of Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades Demi-Sec, a champagne co-owned by American rapper Jay-Z.

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Restaurant bill stuns South Africans

The viral post, which has received over a million views since its publication, attracted thousands of social media comments. People expressed their thoughts about how the bill compared to the tip the patrons provided.

@yolivannesanomkho said to the public:

"A R30 tip is an insult unless the waiter got the tip in cash."

@riri_plxin wrote in the comments:

"Must be nice to spend such money on an early Tuesday morning in our struggling economy."

A saddened @lebeko.reggie shared:

"I'm not going to point out which price on the slip, but I can see my salary."

@kwanjamaja commented on what they saw on the bill:

"Two still waters for R60. It could never be me."

A surprised @noisyneighbour4 humorously stated:

"I read the total amount like Jacob Zuma over and over again. My brain could not comprehend that the bill is in the hundreds of thousands, not just thousands."

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@ka.ba.za added under the post:

"Guys, there's nothing wrong with people spending their money like this. It's theirs, not ours. Again, a tip is not a must. Ya'll don't know the service they received to end up tipping R30. We tip based on the service provided, not on the amount of money we have."

@jamie083n added:

"No one can spend hard-earned money like that. 😭😭 Never!"

Take a look at the TikTok post below:

Tipping culture in South Africa: What you need to know?

South Africa has a strong tipping culture, but it’s not legally required. While you’re not obligated to tip, it’s widely expected as a way to show appreciation for good service. The amount depends on the service and quality provided. Here’s a quick guide to tipping by the South African Tourism:

1. Restaurants and cafés: A tip of 10% to 15% is common, with 20% for excellent service.
2. Hotel staff: Porters usually get R10-R20 per bag, and housekeeping receives R20–R50 per night.
3. Petrol attendants: It’s polite to tip R5-R20, especially if they clean your windscreen or check your oil.
4. Car guards: They typically receive R2-R10 for watching over your vehicle.
5. Safari guides and lodge staff: Expect to tip R100-R200 per day per guide and R50–R100 for trackers or assistants.

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While tipping is voluntary, it forms part of everyday life and supports many people in the service industry. How much you give should reflect the quality of service you receive.

3 Other stories about restaurant bills

• In another article, Briefly News reported that a Cape Town woman was in tears when her boyfriend realised he didn't have enough money to cover their R1 020 bill.
• A local mother showed her costly restaurant bill after dining with three children. Social media users couldn't believe the total cost she had shown in the viral post.
• Last year, a group of friends found a funny and creative way to pay for their bill by letting their waitress decide. They put their bank cards on the table after finishing their meal.

Hilary Sekgota, Human Interest HOD at Briefly News, contributed to this article.

Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News