Stuck in the middle of an economic crisis and with an unemployment rate of 29% in South Africa, you get what you take. It might not be your ideal job to work as a bartender or as a waiter, but that is what pays the bills in your household. Some restaurants pay their employees a very basic salary and they are completely dependent on the tips that they receive.
A regular customer at a bar in Missouri, United States, will often buy lotto tickets and give it to the rest of the regulars in the bar and leave a ticket with his cash tip for the staff. Thanks to the customer’s lotto ticket tip with quick pick numbers 14 27 29 59 65 and 12 a very lucky bartender won $50 000 (approx. R750 000) in the US Powerball draw on the 19th of October. She had no plans to quit her job as she knows that this amount won’t sustain her for the rest of her life. She will use some of the money for dental work, pay off debt and invest the rest.
She didn’t win the amount everyone hopes for when they win, but it sure made life a bit easier. Maybe you could make life a bit easier for someone else. Of course, everyone knows there are no guarantee with a ticket, but you can add just a little bit of hope in someone’s life that there might be a slight possibility of getting a pay-out that will sort out more than just this month’s bills.
What is an acceptable tip in South Africa?
Every country works differently with regards to tipping someone that you received a service from. Not everyone will get a tip for services delivered. The amount is entirely up to you, because you received the service. It is most commonly in South Africa to give a gratuity to someone for their service if they do the following:
- Waiters and bar staff – on average 10% – 20% of the total bill. Make sure the tip is not already included in the total (depending on the size of your party). Give the money to the person that served you, don’t leave it on the table. Many restaurants only pay out tips at the end of the month if it was paid with a card. Pay in cash if possible.
- Hotel staff – at a hotel there are a lot off staff who goes out of their way to make your stay as convenient and luxurious as possible. Some of the staff are behind the scenes, like the chefs and the housekeepers. You can tip the porter for carrying your bags to your room anything between R10 and R100, or you can leave a tip, anything between R100 – R500 in the general staff box at the end of your stay.
- Safari guide/ranger – on average R50 – R500. Your guide will make your day or night excursion as adventurous as possible, sharing their knowledge with you about the plant and animal species you see on your outing. Just remember that your guide doesn’t have control over how many and what type of animals you see on your safari.
- Petrol attendant – on average R2 – R5. Some of these attendants will go out of their way to make your pit-stop worthwhile. They will wash your windows, check the tyre pressure and the level of the oil and water.
- Car guards – on average R2 – R5. Here you can use your own discretion. They will try to convince you that your car will be completely safe under their watch, but unfortunately they can’t be held responsible if anything happens to your car. They are not employed to watch your car.
