UPDATE: Being a Singapore Tourist-Costly

There has been a resolution to the scandal that hit the Newton Circus Food Centre here in Singapore. I will begin by recapping the story. Last week a report came out the that a group of American tourist went to the hawker center at Newton Circus. They ordered 8 large Prawns and were charged S$239.00 which is about S$30 a prawn. Their total bill was S$491 at a outdoor hawker center where the average through Singapore is S$2 to S$3 a plate of food. This is a tourist attraction because it was features as one of the 1001 places to see before you die in the book of the similar title.

The stall owners were accused of overcharging and then intimidating the patrons in order to collect payment. This resulted in the patrons filing a formal complaint.

Another article ran on the 18th of March in the Straits Times which was an attempt to explain why the stall owners had not cheated anyone. It was reported that the tourist were served prawns weighing over 400 grams. And that the price for a prawn that size was warranted because it was rare. Also they denied the intimidating the patrons.

RESULTS:

The Singapore Government is quick to react. I have to commend them on that.

Channel News Asia reported that The National Environment Agency (NEA) said it had investigated the incident of overcharging of American Michael Rigby who was billed a total of S$491, including S$239 for eight tiger prawns.

The article went on to explain that Stall No. 43 (Tanglin’s Best BBQ Seafood Stall) at Singapore’s Newton Hawker Centre has had its licence suspended for three months for overcharging. And that the stall assistant involved in the incident will be barred from working at the Newton Food Centre for over a year.

My Comments:

I think the bottom line is the Stall owner failed to solve this problem when they had the chance. They probably could have made their case to the tourist but in the end maybe charge for one or two less prawns. It may had satified the tourist enough not to file a report and then this would never have built into such a big story. The tourist may have never came back but at least the bad taste that is lingering in the mind of everyone would not be there.

NEA decision was quick and reactive to the situation. Singapore is not about to allow negative press to stay on the front page expecially when everyone from Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Indonesia are fightin for every last tourist. My only complaint would be more of a question. Why was the stall worker banned longer than the stall owner? Shouldn't the stall owner be held more accountable for the actions of their employees?

This could be a cultural reaction to a problem by saying the main cause was the stall assistant. I would put forth that the stall owner of #43 was the major cause of the problem. First by not training properly. Second either not watching their operation or watching and not caring about how they did business. The Stall owner reaps the profit but the stall assistant only gets paid a portion of the windfall. If it was better to be a stall assistant then I too would be a stall assistant.

Things I Love about Singapore

Whenever I go to a new city, I find you must live there for a while before you can actually say for certain you like it.  Visiting is totally different compared to living in a city.  I compare it to dating as opposed to living with each other.  When you are dating, there are sparks that blind you so you overlook the details.  It is not until you get that first place together that you magnifying glass comes out and you really see how things are going to be.

Singapore, up until January 2008, has been my date for the past several years.  I've made many visits but I did not stay longer than a month.  I had some good times and felt I was ready to make that next step.  So earlier this year, I made the move.  

I would like to say everything has been perfect but like any new relationship there has been the occasional bump and even all out brawl but I haven't left nor has Singapore.  My process here is to post my positives of Singapore because like my mother told me if you don't have anything positive to say keep it to yourself.  I will follow her advice for now but wait till she is not looking and I will post my list of things I don't particularly enjoy about Singapore later. So here they are in no particular order but how they came out of my head: 

1. Making Time to Eat: Singapore is awash with small stalls called "hawker centers" so you are never far from a small, fast cooked meal.  Most food is delivered within a few minutes of ordering.  It rivals fast food but it is freshly cooked most of the time.  
2. Family time: Singapore and its people are always busy doing something but no matter what time it is, the people here manage to see their families and eat a meal together.
3. Buses, MRT and Taxis:  Singapore has one of the best public systems for getting around.  There are bus stops everywhere and if your not taking a bus then take the Subway called the MRT.  When your in a hurry then a taxi is the next best thing.  It is a little more expensive then the first two but well worth the quickness and sometimes the conversation is better than a tour guide, therapist or financial consultant.
4. Green Green Green:  Singapore is by far one of the Greenest cities I have lived in.  I love to drive on the expressways because the trees form a natural tunnel that lets in patches of sky.  Some roads are so scenic that I could miss my turn if not for my GPS.
5. Driving on the Right Side:  At first I really disliked driving here but as time goes by I am getting the hang of it.  I think it is easier to use your mirrors while driving from the right.  Something about being right eyes dominate helps you see the side mirrors.
6. Shopping, Shopping:  Singapore has enough malls in such a small city/nation that I don't think I will ever run out of places to go on a hot, humid day.  Plus because all the major, high end brands are coveted here, you get exposed to a variety that you don't get in most cities.  If you get a chance to visit then check out Vivo City.  If you don't get lost, you will be able to tell others all about it.

This is a pretty short list but I will add more as time goes on.  I have only just begun the living together stage so I am sure there will be more epifanies in the future.  I just know that there is more to Singapore then just the Merlion and F1.