‘Absolutely not, immediately no' people cry as man proposes in Nando's with the big question written in mayonnaise

The Sun

26-07-2025

A MAN has been slated for his unconventional wedding proposal, after popping the big question to his beau by writing it out in mayonnaise.
We all dream of a romantic proposal, with some choosing to take their partner to an exotic location, or share an intimate moment at home.
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However, one man decided to take a very unique approach to popping the question, after taking his girlfriend out to their local Nando's.
Taking to TikTok, Nando's waiter Mal shared a snap of the proposal, which he recorded whilst serving the couple.
"POV: When he does the bare minimum proposal at Nando's", Mal said.
In the video, Mal can be seen carrying a plate of mayonnaise over to the couple.
Written in curly mayo writing is the misspelt phrase: "Will you mary me?"
Mal then gave the woman at the table the ring, whilst her partner can be seen smiling and not saying a word, assumedly too shy to pop the question himself.
He doesn't stand up, or even get down on one knee, with Mal revealing that his legs "curled round that chair."
The waiter said that the woman was left extremely perplexed by the unique proposal, and was unsure how to respond.
He said that she sat confused for 10 minutes, before finally saying yes to the proposal.
However, he added that they didn't even kiss after agreeing to spend the rest of their lives together, and instead just chose to hug.
Love Island stars slam Dejon over 'worst exclusive proposal in show history'
"He could have put way more thought into it", Mal critiqued, adding that the man had even turned up late to the proposal.
The video, posted to Mal's TikTok account (@micmanmal5), has quickly gone viral, racking up 1.2 million views in just 24 hours.
TikTok users raced to the comments section to share their thoughts, with many left unimpressed.
One person said: "It literally doesn't cost a thing to get down on one knee and propose.
How to ace a proposal
Thinking of proposing? Follow this checklist by Fabulous' Deputy Editor Josie Griffiths to ensure a yes…
Time it right - the average Brit waits between 18 months and two years to get engaged. But you might feel ready after six months, or decide to wait five plus years to pop the question. Only you truly know when the time's right, and this isn't a decision you want to rush. Falling in love might feel amazing but of course most relationships DON'T end in marriage - and this is for good reason…
Pay attention - hopefully you haven't reached the point yet of your frustrated partner leaving their laptop open with 'hints' for rings they like. Ideally you'll want the ring to be a secret, but also something they'd happily wear - and for the rest of their life, so just a TEENY bit of pressure here. You need to be paying attention to any comments your partner makes about other people's rings, what they do and don't like, and what's most important to them - size, clarity, specific details. If you're really unsure, or if your partner hates surprises, it's best to propose with a dummy and then buy the real thing together.
Family matters - tradition dictates that you ask the dad's permission for his daughter's hand in marriage, but it's not so straightforward nowadays. Maybe your partner's closer to their step-dad, or wants her mum to walk her down the aisle, in which case you'd be better off chatting to them. Maybe they'd find it weird if you went to their parents first, in which case you could ditch the whole thing. Or perhaps they're closer to their friends and the best idea would be letting your partner's best mate pick the ring. These things do matter and could come back to bite you if handled in the wrong way.
Plan the setting - does your partner dread being centre of attention, or are they someone who'd be gutted if you proposed at home, berating you forever for a lack of 'effort'? Plan the place for your perfect proposal - how busy it'll be, whether you'll be able to get a good pic there, and other logistics around it. A proposal at the top of a mountain might sound good in theory but your girlfriend might not actually appreciate it when there's sweat dripping down her forehead and she's not wearing the cute dress she'd imagined for the pictures. Personally, I can't think of anything worse than a public proposal where everyone's waiting to hear your answer - in a group of friends, the middle of a restaurant or with an announcement at an event. So bear all of this in mind and remember, it's meant to be about what THEY want, not you.
"You can do it in Nandos, sure, but at least get down on one knee and tell her why you want to marry her."
A second person said: "Immediately, no.
"The least he could do is stand up."
A third said: "Absolutely not."
A fourth added: "Gonna be honest here. I would pass him."