“That would never happen in South Africa”: A TikTok user recently shared an experience he witnessed across the pond in which youngsters were showing disrespect to someone much older. The incident got him thinking about South Africa’s youth, to which he concluded such a matter would never have happened back home.
Global (01 April 2025) — TikTok user ‘CraigF’ recently sparked an important conversation that might offend some people, and might make others proud. After experiencing an odd moment during a tennis match in London in which he witnessed a group of children bullying one of the players (their elder), he found himself concluding that such a matter of manners would never have happened in South Africa.
According to the TikTok user, the children (who were behind the tennis court in a play area) began ‘chirping’ phrases like ‘you’re rubbish’ before graduating to chanting ‘loser’ at the player (who just laughed it off) for a fair amount of time.
Despite the chill oozing from the unnamed player, ‘CraigF’ found himself thinking about it all and comparing the children’s behaviour to the youth back in SA.
“Kids of all cultures [in South Africa] are much more obedient or nervous depending on your point of view,” he shared.
“Respect for your elders is really, really extreme in South Africa.”
Watch: ‘That Would Never Happen in South Africa’
@craigf647 This would never happen in South Africa!#saffersabroad #saffersintheuk ♬ original sound – CraigF
There were many people who agreed with CraigF’s sentiments that the idea of South African children chanting loser at an elder simply wouldn’t happen.
Some chalked it down to the philosophy of Ubuntu, commenting, “The spirit of Ubuntu will never let that happen in South Africa.”
Others concluded that it was fear of parents that made kids more respectful, noting (jokingly) that, “In South Africa if you disrespect an elder on the street you have to pray your parents don’t find out because you’re good as dead if they do.”
There were also people who commented that receiving respect from youngsters in SA is a breath of fresh air, sharing:
“Nothing better [than] going to a South African school and every child greeting you with ‘Sir’. Respect for older people should be baked in to a society.”
However, there were some who disagreed; spotlighting the matter of disrespect being generational, not cultural. There were also those who said the responsibility is on the adults, who are disrespecting others, to say something.
What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments!
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