'It's the principle': Sunrise weatherman Sam 'Mac' McMillan calls out 'sparkling scam'' hitting diners across the country amid cost-of-living crisis
The 42-year-old Channel Seven favourite took to social media on Tuesday to share his outrage after being hit with a $12 bill for a one-litre bottle of San Pellegrino at a restaurant, all because he said "sparkling" when asked what water he wanted.
"I said sparkling," Mac wrote in text over his video, filmed from the table.
"And suddenly I was the next victim of the #SparklingScam."
In the clip, the father-of-two shook his head in mock disbelief before turning the camera to the high-end bottle sitting on the table.
"Not today bro!" he declared, before knocking back several glasses.
"I will drink that one litre of sparkling water whether my bladder likes it or not."
"It's the PRINCIPLE!" he added.
"They are fully aware it's available in 250ml bottles."
While McMillan didn't name the restaurant, he did post a photo of the receipt showing the bottle cost $12.00, sparking a flood of comments from followers who felt his pain.
"This might be a little niche… but is anyone else onto the #SparklingScam," he captioned the post, which was reshared to his Instagram Stories.
Fans were quick to back him up.
"I'm with you on that, Sam! Let's spread the word!" one user wrote, while another added: "Biggest rip-off ever- should be free whether it has bubbles or not as most can just put it through an aerator."
Famous friends joined in too, with The Cockroaches frontman and former Wiggles manager Paul Field dropping two laughing emojis, while Dancing with the Stars champ Aric Yegudkin admitted: "Hahaha I get done every time too."
Still, not everyone agreed, with one follower leaping to the defence of the sparkling offender: "It's San Pellegrino, Sam! It's the Moet of Italian water! You should be smiling and grateful, it's delicious!"
Another user pointed out that the Sydney-based weatherman's dilemma seemed like a "big city" problem.
"Where was this? There's a bit of big city energy about that," they wrote.
McMillan, known for his humour both on and off air, has been easing back into the swing of things after returning from "Dad leave" following the birth of his second daughter.
In a recent reel, the self described "TV Weather Boi" documented his whirlwind week covering more than 6000 kilometres across Auckland, Waiheke Island, Brisbane, K'gari (Fraser Island), Caloundra and Sydney, all while tackling "the big topics".
"Do you put the cream on first or the jam on first?" he asked a chef while filming a segment involving a tray of fresh scones.
"It can divide a nation."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
SBS Australia
2 hours ago
- SBS Australia
Dai barbecue ai banh mi: lo slang culinario australiano
Per saperne di più: Transcript Howie: Have you ever been invited to an Aussie party and been told to 'bring a plate'? If that sounds strange, you're not alone. Aussie English can be weird — but there's always a reason behind it. So why do Aussies talk about eating the way they do? And how did all these unique food phrases become part of everyday life? Let's find out. Sharing food, sharing culture Food is a beautiful, shared experience. Australia's diverse population has brought meals and food traditions from many cultures. Because of this, you'll hear lots of eating-related words that have evolved from different places. Sharing food is a big part of Aussie culture and mateship. Since the early 20th century, Australians have used the phrase 'bring a plate' — not because they're out of crockery, but because they're asking you to bring food to share. It doesn't have to be a literal plate. It could be a bowl of dessert, a salad, drinks — anything, really. The story behind 'bring a plate' The phrase goes back to community fundraisers and club events in the early 1900s. Instead of buying a ticket, guests were asked to bring a plate of food — often cake. By the 1920s, that became simply: 'bring a plate.' So if you're invited to a barbie, make sure to put some tucker on your plate. Barbie = barbecue Tucker = food (any kind) Snags, sausages, and democracy The snag (sausage) is the hero of many Aussie barbecues. It's also the centrepiece of election fundraisers — where it becomes a 'democracy sausage.' Australians love word shortenings. Research shows that around 4% of Australian English words are shortened forms. Why? Because shortening words feels informal and friendly — and that's how Aussies like to talk. Goon and boxie: the language of wine It may come from 'flagon' (a big bottle of wine), or from 'goom,' another word for alcohol. Either way, it now refers to boxed wine — which Aussies also call: Boxie Box monster Cardy chardy Goon bag Goon sack We get creative with food, and even more creative with names for it. Food, language, and culture Food has always been tied to identity, class, and culture. Australia's earliest settlers and convicts were curious about Indigenous food — later called bush tucker. In 1864, Edward Abbott published the first Australian cookbook, featuring recipes for emu, kangaroo, and other native ingredients. Over time, traditional foods gave way to British and American dishes — even within many Indigenous communities. But after World War II, Australians began to embrace multicultural food more openly. Even when Aussies were hesitant to use other languages, they still used original names for many dishes: Nasi goreng, chop suey, goulash, and more. Kangaroo, macadamia, and Indigenous words Australia's most iconic animal — the kangaroo — gets its name from the Guugu Yimidhirr language. But not all Indigenous words survived colonisation. The macadamia nut, for instance, was named after chemist John Macadam, even though Indigenous names like 'gumburra' and 'kindal kindal' were already in use. Today, we're embracing more migrant and Indigenous words than ever. Borrowing, shortening, and debating Aussies often shorten borrowed food terms too: Spaghetti bolognese becomes spag bol Chicken parmigiana becomes… parma or parmi — depending on where you are Warning: Saying the 'wrong' version could spark a pub debate! Food can be fun — but it can also be political. Australians feel strongly about what we eat and what we call it. From HSP to dim sims Terms like 'kebab' and 'halal snack pack' (HSP) have become part of the Aussie food experience. In fact, in 2016, halal snack pack won the People's Choice Award in the Macquarie Dictionary's Word of the Year. This love of food reflects how we welcome new people, cultures, and ideas — by sharing meals and language. We say 'bring a plate' not just to make parties easier to host — but to try everyone's favourite dish. Food as a shared experience From bush tucker to democracy sausages, and from goon bags to goulash, Aussie English is full of flavour. It's shaped by what we eat, how we live, and who we welcome to the table. And like every good meal — it's meant to be shared. Weird and Wonderful Aussie English Credits Video production company: New Mac Video Agency
Courier-Mail
4 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
Robert Irwin returns to Coffs Harbour restaurant to pay his food bill
Don't miss out on the headlines from Celebrity Life. Followed categories will be added to My News. Less than a week after admitting he forgot to pay for his bill at a restaurant, Robert Irwin has returned to the scene of the crime to settle the score. The Aussie wildlife warrior, 21, took to Instagram last week sharing a since viral-video where he revealed he unwittingly left The Jetty Pavilion in Coffs Harbour without paying for his salad. Within five days, Irwin made good on his promise to venture back and fix up the bill, with camera crews on hand to capture the moment. 'I'm a man of my word. I said I was gonna pay for the salad, so I'm here to do just that,' he told 7News. Robert Irwin returned to the Jetty Pavilion in Coffs. Picture: 7News Irwin made good on his promise to pay for a salad he accidentally forgot to settle during a fan frenzy. Picture: 7News 'It went through! We got a tick,' Irwin continued as he tapped his credit card. 'I definitely paid! I'm outta here,' he laughed, while also leaving a generous tip. Owners Ben Hemsworth and Kyle Miller said they'd experienced a 50 per cent boost in business since Irwin shared a video recommendation last week. Irwin triggered global headlines when he admitted to ordering the $26 Harvest Bowl at the local eatery during an east coast road trip, before he was swarmed by fans and forgot to pay. Irwin with co-owner Kyle Miller. 'I went in there, and there was a lot of people who, you know, saw me and said g'day, and wanted to have a photo. But it turned into a bit of a frenzy … It was a bit of a flurry there for a moment,' Irwin began. 'Anyway, they got the salad done super fast, I made sure I said hi to absolutely everyone, 'Cheers, thanks so much, see ya later.' 'Then the next morning wake up and realise, I never paid for my salad! I just did the old dine and dash and didn't even realise. I felt terrible.' X SUBSCRIBER ONLY The I'm A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! co-host said he quickly reached out to the venue and offered to hand over his credit card details to fix up the bill, as he'd already left Coffs at that point. 'They said, 'Don't worry, just leave us a good review.' I said, 'I'll do you one better!'' Irwin continued. 'There are eight million of you guys on here [Instagram]. Go and support the Jetty Pavilion. They are the absolute best. 'I apologise again. Today is not the day I start my life of crime, as much as the tabloids would love that, it's not happening. 'Cheers everyone. Love you, Coffs Harbour.' The Jetty Pavilion owners have since hinted they might name the salad after Irwin in light of the saga. Originally published as Robert Irwin returns to Coffs Harbour restaurant to pay his food bill
Sydney Morning Herald
9 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Rebecca Gibney to return to stage for the first time in 20 years during her year of living dangerously
, register or subscribe to save articles for later. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. This is Rebecca Gibney's year of living dangerously. She is stepping on stage for the Sydney Theatre Company ('Me on stage, in general, terrifies me') and she's been waltzing her away through the TV show Dancing with the Stars ('It's really hard, and you hurt'). But, most importantly, she recently turned 60 and discovered something profound. 'I don't give a rat's arse about things that aren't important any more,' she says. 'I don't obsess over criticism. I don't obsess over much really because I've worked out that the most important things are your family, your friends, the people that love you, and finding your passion, finding what gives you joy. 'I was such a people pleaser for so long, so much imposter syndrome, but I've now gotten to an age where I think, 'How do I feel about that?' I was so hard on myself for such a long time. I was so vindictive towards myself. I had such self loathing in my late 20s and early 30s, just for choices that I'd made that hurt people. Rebecca Gibney during rehearsals for Circle Mirror Transformation with Jessie Lawrence (left) and Nicholas Brown. Credit: Daniel Boud 'I really was in a bit of a bad state about myself. The great thing about being older is you actually start caring about yourself more and your self-worth and your self-care. Because if I can't look after myself, I can't look after anyone else.' Gibney – New Zealand born and bred, an All Blacks supporter, but Australian TV royalty – is at STC in the throes of rehearsal for Circle Mirror Transformation , her return to the stage after 20 years and only her third time treading the boards. Gibney is utterly delightful in person, chatty ('My mum says I can talk the leg off a tin pot') and sparky with ridiculously bright blue eyes (I normally wouldn't mention it, but when you spend a lifetime watching someone on screen, it's funny the things you don't notice). She is wearing a traditional Maori greenstone necklace and her Kiwi accent pops in and out of the conversation. She throws her head back when she laughs. 'I turned 60 last year, and for some reason, it dawned on me,' she says. 'And I think there's a lot of women when they get older, or people in general, when they get older, it's that realisation that, OK, I've got 20, 30, 40 years left, and knowing how quickly the last 20 went, I don't want to waste time being scared of things, or frightened of things or not doing things because I'm scared. And I know that if I don't keep changing and growing and challenging myself, I could just curl up in a ball. And I don't want that. I want to be around a lot longer.' Rebecca Gibney and dance partner Ian Waite on Dancing With the Stars. She's tackling an American accent for Circle Mirror Transformation , which is set in a small-town community centre in Vermont, and written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Annie Baker. Gibney plays Marty, a hippie dippy drama teacher – 'she teaches pottery classes and she teaches jewellery classes, and she's probably got tattoos' – who is tackling an adult drama class for the first time. 'She's really giving it 150 per cent,' Gibney says. 'But layered underneath that, though, is a troubled marriage, which comes out over the course of the play. You start to realise that she may not be as happy and shiny as she appears.' Her husband is played by 'possibly the nicest man on the planet', Cameron Daddo, who Gibney worked with on the TV travel show Luxury Escapes . 'When we're travelling, I always have the, 'What's next? What's next? When do we have to be here? [mindset]',' she says. 'I'm like, 'We have to be here at this time. We've got to do this.' I'm always thinking ahead, whereas Cameron's like, 'But wow, look at that table, isn't it great, man?'' Rebecca Gibney poses with the Hall of Fame Award at last year's 64th Logie Awards. Credit: Getty Images Gibney never formally studied acting. She fell into it after an early modelling career – a fantastic snap on her Instagram page shows her wearing a sash that reads 'Ms Resilient Flooring' in the 1980s – and built a career that reads as the greatest hits of Australian TV: The Flying Doctors , All Together Now , Halifax f.p. , Stingers , Packed to the Rafters and Halifax: Retribution . Last year, she was inducted into the Logies Hall of Fame, with her son Zac Bell doing the honours. But it was this long history on the small screen that gave Gibney her biggest doubt: could she crack it on the stage? Especially a stage that has regularly featured some of the titans of Australian acting: Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Heather Mitchell, Pamela Rabe. Rebecca Gibney watches Cameron Daddo during rehearsals for Circle Mirror Transformation. 'There is that imposter syndrome thing that sort of has come flooding back a little bit,' Gibney says. 'Certainly, last week, in the first week of rehearsals, I was like, 'Oh, geez, what have I done? I'm not going to be good at this.' You know the little voice on the shoulder that just goes, 'You're out of your depth. You don't know what you're doing.' Loading 'But to have such an incredible, supportive cast around me and the director [Dean Bryant] who just went, 'Yes, you can.' And I think something clicked in me yesterday. My son said to me once, 'Mum, fear and excitement are the same feeling. You've just got to flip it.' And so I got home last night and I went, 'I'm going to turn this into excitement.' 'So I actually went, 'Today I'm going to smash it. I'm going to know my lines. I'm going to project [my voice], I'm going to really do incredibly well', and I'm just going to have to keep telling myself that until opening night.' Gibney's 40-year TV career has given her an eagle-eyed view of a local industry that has undergone tremendous upheaval in the past couple of decades. Those cosy weekly family sitcoms, such as All Together Now and Packed to the Rafters , are gone, while police and crime dramas are more likely to be a limited series instead of a prime-time staple that runs for years. 'I think people want that [local dramas] now,' Gibney says. 'If you look at the demographics and the people that are watching regular [free-to-air] television, they're actually much older. And the younger generation, it's the streaming services and stuff. But people love a good drama. 'Look at The Survivors [on Netflix]. That's, like, No.2 globally at the moment or something, and made in Tasmania by the beautiful Tony Ayres and Cherie Nowlan and Andy Walker … It's just so fantastic that shows like that are being made [by Netflix], but it's like, 'OK, wait a second, that's Australian, you know? Why are we not investing more in our own product? Why are we waiting for someone else to make it?' Gibney and Cameron Daddo on Packed to the Rafters. The friends are to star in Circle Mirror Transformation. 'And shows like Packed to the Rafters , there is a home for that. We don't have another show like that at the moment. I think there's a comfort to that, seeing a show about a family that's just like any other regular Australian family. That's why people loved it so much. It was a show that they could all watch with the whole family.' Loading As for what Gibney has planned next, she can't say – well, she tells me, it's just that I can't tell you – but there is one thing she is certain of. 'I want to start being more raw and more real and not caring so much,' she says. 'I'm happy to play dress-ups, but the reality is, [today] I'm in a jean jacket and my hair's a bit all over the shop, and I don't have my wefts [hair extensions] in, and I don't really care.
