Philip Chua
Today, 21st Aug 2025, at around 11.45am to 2.00pm, I purchased a bowl of bobo-chacha at the dessert
Today, 21st Aug 2025, at around 11:45 am to 2:00 pm, I purchased a bowl of bobo-chacha at the dessert stall. I was the only customer. A senior woman turned around and, speaking in Mandarin, said she wasn't free and that I would have to wait. I replied, "Fine, take your time. I understand." When I later told her I'd like to have it cold, she mentioned there wouldn't be much gravy. I said that was no problem. I also mentioned I was getting it for my sister and asked if she was okay with it if there wasn't much gravy. My sister was fine with it! When I returned to confirm with her that I'd like to order the cold bobo-chacha, she started repeating that there would be little gravy and that I shouldn't blame her for it. She then further said in Mandarin, “已经跟你说了，你死活都要冷的，没什么汤就别怪我没跟你说”, etc., in a tone that suggested I owed her a million dollars and had wronged her deeply! I paid and left, feeling increasingly unhappy as I reflected on the interaction. Isn't it a customer's right to order anything as long as it's available? And what I eat has nothing to do with her, other than the fact that she was the one I placed my order with! Singapore prides itself as a centre for services and as a developed country. But why should the woman speak in such a hostile manner: "你死活都要吃冷的......"? Is it necessary? Can't hawkers understand they are merely doing their job and I am merely ordering my food? It's about time we started a national campaign to educate both the public and service providers, including hawker stall owners and food sellers, about the need to respect each other, to be measured, and not to be taken captive by our own impatient tempers! Otherwise, Singapore will only slide further down to becoming a country with 1st-world infrastructure but 4th-world residents! To the woman who served me and spoke that horrible statement to me, good luck to you!