We got in touch with Janice Lim, identified via her Facebook comments on the viral video to be a credible first person witness when the pushing incident happened at Toa Payoh Lor 8 Market and Food Centre last night.
In the video, a well-dressed lady is seen arguing with an old man over the seats at a round table in the hawker centre. She called someone for help and an equally well-dressed young man came to her rescue, shoving the old man from behind, causing him to fall forward:
Here’s the full audio transcript of the video if you can’t make out the verbal exchange.
Janice recounted the whole incident to us from the beginning. She said the incident happened at around 8.45pm. The hawker centre was very crowded and the table which caused the incident was the only available table where no one was seated.
When the old man approached the table with his tray of food, there was no one seated at the table. However, there was a folded purple umbrella placed on the table, presumably to chope the seat.
The young woman then confronted the old man and shouted at him rudely and loudly, spewing a slew of vulgarities which was what caught Janice’s attention.
Janice said that the old man was polite throughout his verbal exchange with the lady. He had said that he only needed one seat and politely asked if all the seats were taken, questioning how many seats did the lady need exactly. The lady did not reply directly. Instead, she insisted that the table was reserved and the old man has no right to occupy a seat. She kept cursing the old man before calling her friend on her mobile to get help.
The young man then came from behind, pushing the old man, causing him to fall forward. What happened from this point is captured on video.
Janice said that after the pushing, another kind gentleman came over and offered for the old man to sit with him at his table (don’t say Singaporeans are all selfish). Someone should identify this good guy and buy him a beer or something!
Janice said that the well-dressed couple did not eat anything, but they ordered many takeouts and continued to occupy the table. There were no other people who came to join them at the table either.
Janice also shared that another guy went over to the young man and told him that he should not have pushed the old man. In agitation, the young man pushed and shoved all the used plates and utensils on the floor in a fit of rage.
Janice concluded the interview saying that she was shocked by the behaviour of the well-dressed couple and that this is the one of the worst manifestation of the ‘chope’ culture that we have in Singapore.
Hopefully, this interview with Janice cleared the air on what actually transpired, providing the context to the video.
What is your conclusion?
Is it right for the couple to presume that the table is theirs when they chope it with a folded umbrella?
Or do the old man has the right to still take up a seat after the table was choped?
BTW, an online vigilante, Ang Tock Seng went about fingering a Cherry Tan as the female culprit in the pushing incident. His accusation is baseless and now he is getting a taste of his own medicine with a CSI bounty placed on his head by other online vigilante. Please be responsible when commenting online. The internet is serious business.
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No way the young ones are right or have the right to the table total arrogance. Why can't share why can't be polite. She deserves some shelling from the authorities. Wait till their parents are in the place of the elder man. Absurd and uncalled for behavior of the young couple. The shameless man showing his power to a senior.
Great bullies! Ah lian and ah beng
Why dress so nice but behave like gangster. Like chinese a saying "Zhi Ran Zhi Mian Pu Zhi Sing"
Perhaps they hv big daddy or mummy ? Should show this to their big dad or mummy. If want reserve seat go pay more la.
That old man has his meals first. That the first right from wht I observed.
Good work to stop herd bullies.
This two arrogant brats should be stand in front of public and given a proper lectures on how to behave in public . Act like hooligans.
They need to apologize publicly.
The chopping of table space must be eridicated to avoid further social brawls from happening. There is no legal rights of such chopping of places. The respective management and government authorities of food courts and hawker centres must address this issue without delay. I have experience of a pie chowder eatery in seattle washington where there is always endless queue and there the management had done a good job by sticking poster on the tables and on the walls" no holding tables --please grab a seat after your food has been served. Thank you" this is an explicit statement and even tourists will take heed and abide.
When 2 or more Sinkies meet in crowded places, they're bound to step on each's other foot and nasty words and action follow.
Pls stop your “sinkies” term. It's biased & stereotyped and shows your comments lack logic & reasoning (read common-sense).
Now I would have used fhe tissue paper use to chope the table and thank the owner of the tissue paper when they come back.
These two jokers need to be sent to Obedience School. They have Obedience School for dogs. Why not for little cheenaks too?
Shame on these 2 idiots bullying an elderly person, a disgrace to their parents for their barbarian behaviour. Today he's capable of whacking an elderly person , tomorrow he's equally capable of whacking that same woman standing next to him.
Not eating there only ordered take away! Woah! They da bao the entire food court ar? Out of anger can slam Uncle. He think he Snorlax ar? That bitch hurl vulgarities .. seriously. They both need to be punish!
Disgrace behaviour....shame on them n shame them by sharing the post
I 'll say uncivil behaviour
What is 'chope'? Is there any regulations to this stupid behaviour? This stupid couple may have their way bullying an old man, try take on somebody their own size and stature, what did their parents instill into their airheads all these years? Air? Nobody else's to blame but their parents, seriously, u make babies, make sure you teach them well and make sure they have manners, these 2 are dogs!
Do not insult dog!
I don't think dog will do what these 2 monsters were doing.Dog is better!
Mike, you are absolutely right. Dogs are far more disciplined than them.
Yes Mike ?dogs feel insulted..chines says
' pu ru kwow'
These two mad dogs, should be shamed in public for their sick mind.
it an old man who is looking for a seat just be kind enough to give old people a spare of thought
Sad nobody has identified the mad couple and share details..
Read from Facebook, latest I heard is the lady (or bitch)is identified as be stupid cherry Tan and that dog Friend of hers no name both from an UOB branch nearby, UOB spokesperson says it's investigating the matter and that IF that two idiots are from UOB (really) they will take SOME action, and that they will NOT condone to such behaviour wor, let's just see what happens, never like banking with that bank anyways, it's not the first time I encounter such ridiculous behaviour with their staffs ...
Yes, Daniel. Even their hugh ranking officers in Penang need to eat turd and die. Their bloody kid was playing basketball and shooting hoops in a carpark full of parked cars. Crap for brains. All the freaky misfits are collectively working in this bank.