There are a lot of hidden rules and etiquette over who should pay for a meal. So, why not ignore all that and let the richest deal with the check instead?
This was the strategy for one table at Mint29, with Farah Jay (@farah_jay) documenting the experience on TikTok. In the clip, a waiter can be seen holding the bill and addressing the group before passing the bill to a woman on the right.
On-screen text accompanying the video provides more context. The caption reads, “Asking the waiter to give the bill to whoever looks the richest. Whoever he picks has to pay for our dinner.”
The video garnered 674,100 views.
Mint29 didn’t immediately respond to BroBible’s request for comment via TikTok direct message and email, respectively.
How Did Commenters React To This Dinner Stunt?
The first question is, was the Mint29 waiter, right? Well, as revealed in the comments by Jay, he wasn’t. However, many of the commenters agreed with his verdict, with one saying, “I literally thought the same. No disrespect to the other beautiful women. My eye just hit your posture sitting their calm and still with a sweet smile. Body language speaks loud, trust me, even your hand placement and when you took the bill. It all talks.”
Alternatively, another commenter argued that the woman in brown was the richest friend, sharing zoomed-in screenshots of her jewelry to prove it. Why Jay didn’t confirm this was correct, she didn’t deny it either, simply liking the comment.
In a TikTok direct message interview, Jay explained that she wanted to post the video “as part of our yearly tradition.”
“We meet up once a year when everyone is in town, we have dinner together and make a fun TikTok,” she explained.
She added that the video’s reception was “mostly positive,” and said, “I think everyone is having a fun time trying to analyze and figure out who’s in the highest income bracket based on appearance.”
When asked which person at the table was actually the richest, she replied that “we are all rich in family, faith, and most importantly each others company!”
For the majority of commenters, this was all in good fun.
“This is hilarious and such a great idea,” one wrote. “This is so smart,” a second added. While a third quipped, “Imma start lookin’ like a bum when I go out , lol jk.”
But not everyone was impressed.
“Why would you choose the one who has the baby on the way?” a fourth asked.
“This is so awkward for a server,” a fifth claimed.
@farah_jay hijabs: @YARA modal hijabs restaurant: @Mint29
Should The Rich Friend Pay For A Group Dinner?
Over on Reddit, people were divided over whether one should let the wealthier friend pay for meals. One Redditor, who wrote from the point of view of the “rich friend,” admitted that they resented having to pay for people—especially when they don’t send the money back without serious prompting and joke about the friend treating them. “Like most of the time I really have no problem treating my loved ones but if you’re acting like you’re entitled to it, it just leaves a sour taste in my mouth,” they complained.
On the other side of the coin, there was another Redditor who felt uncomfortable with their more well-off friend paying each time. “Is there a subtle, non-offensive way to say, ‘I value our friendship, not your money,’ or should I just shut up and enjoy the expensive sushi, knowing I’m doing the right thing by letting him treat?” they asked. “I feel like I’m breaking some unwritten rule of friendship etiquette.”
Still, while some people might fight over the bill or are left unable to pay for it at all, this method can be seen as a way to make those awkward situations a little lighter.