A tourist was accused of patronising an economy rice stall in Chinatown and insisting on paying only after eating. When he requested more rice and dishes at the stall and still refused to pay, the stall owner called the police. The incident occurred at about 12 p.m. on 8 September at the Chinatown Complex Market and Food Centre and was witnessed by a fellow diner. A photo taken at the scene showed two police officers at the hawker stall.
Background
The 34-year-old hawker, surnamed Yu (transliteration), said a middle-aged man ordered a S$3.60 meal but insisted on paying only after finishing the meal. The hawker claimed the tourist was from China and explained that in his hometown, it was customary to pay after eating. Yu initially allowed the man to eat first, believing he had money as indicated by the tourist pointing to his sling bag.
Asked for another serving
After finishing his meal, the customer returned to the stall and requested more rice and dishes. Yu asked the customer to pay for the previous meal first before providing additional food. The tourist still refused, insisting he had plenty of money. Yu, having never encountered such a situation before, informed the customer that his behaviour was affecting business and threatened to call the police. The customer appeared to call the police himself but allegedly tried to leave five minutes later, only to be stopped by Yu’s wife.
Police mediated
The police arrived shortly and spoke to the customer. According to Yu, the police informed him that the customer had just arrived in Singapore that day. They took a S$10 note from the man’s bag and handed it to Yu. The police also asked Yu if he wanted to continue serving the customer, but Yu declined, preferring to have nothing more to do with him. Yu then gave the man his change, and the tourist was later escorted away by the police.
Tourist’s perspective
The tourist’s insistence on paying after eating highlights cultural differences that can lead to misunderstandings. In some parts of China, it is indeed customary to pay after a meal, which might explain the tourist’s behaviour. However, in Singapore, especially in hawker centres, it is standard practice to pay before eating. This incident underscores the importance of understanding and respecting local customs when travelling.
Implications for hawker centres
This incident raises questions about how hawker centres handle disputes with tourists unfamiliar with local customs. It also highlights the need for clear communication and possibly even signage to inform tourists of payment practices. As Singapore continues to attract international visitors, such measures could prevent similar misunderstandings in the future.
