The Price You Pay

Feidu, the usual Net place on Geylang Road near Aljunied, has standard charges of $2 per hour and 50c printing—with some cajoling $1 and 20 cents (ten for volume). The large, better functioning place around on Aljunied charges $1.60 weekdays and ten cents more weekends when the place is crowded with lads skype-ing back home to parents, wives and children; thirty cent printing (again ten volume). Most of the Kopi shops charge twenty-thirty cents for a glass of warm water—some people's choice of beverage on the equator; ice the same. The last couple of months Mr. Sharif at Sri Geylang has insisted on gifting his regular his favourite Ahmad tea-bags he bought in Dubai. London product; a treat Mr. Sharif is willing to share because he and his wife cannot finish their hoard and the tea loses flavour sitting. Thirty cent charge at the register, no matter Mr. Sharif is robbing his employer of trade. (When Ahmad the Money-changer was offered a bag carrying his name he declined what he considered floor-sweepings—not a sign of leaf anywhere. Of course mum's the word where Mr. S. is concerned.) In turn this reminds of the fifty cent per hour charge in Dunlop Street for phone re-charging. (A recent review at ID Express in Dunlop raised the possibility of hiking the re-charge charge to 80c., or even one dollar. On hold for the present time.) And finally, what had first come under notice three years ago, the girls leaning on the pillars under the busy Five-foot walkway just off Aljunied flashing the passersby Scissor, Paper. Scissor, Paper with a smile. That is unless you are a tall White with a fine hat, when it automatically becomes fifty—flat-hand Paper. A single moment previously twenty-five; then without missing a beat 100% hike! Trafficked young Thais, Sri Lankans or Cambodians possibly under the sway of hard-boy pimps who remain out of sight. You can only smile and wag a finger, no time for cry.

NB. In one survey highlighted locally last year Singapore's high-end Orchard Road outshone Times Square, the Ginza, Bond Street and the Champs Elysees to be voted Number One retail strip on the planet. This other concerns the infinitely more interesting and inspiring lower end.