‘I don't have small change, you go and change lah!' — GrabCar driver and passenger argue over who should go find loose change for RM50
A TikTok video recently made its rounds showing a Grab car driver and his passenger locked in a heated argument over small change. The passenger handed over a RM50 bill. The driver had no change. This then led into the realm of awkward silence, followed by finger-pointing, raised voices, and eventually, a call to Grab's hotline to save the day.
Who should go and change?!
byu/RhinneXChronica inmalaysia
The app operator did what operators usually do — asked the driver to end the ride via the app — but the internet had already taken the wheel, speeding into comment sections with high beams on. 'Who actually should go and get the small change?'
If you've ever fumbled for coins at a mamak stall or watched someone pay for a kopi with a hundred-ringgit note, you'll understand why this video struck a nerve.
Viewers took sides faster than a Malaysian lunch table splits between nasi lemak and roti canai. Some rallied behind the driver.
'Grab drivers are not money changers,' one TikTok user declared.
Others pointed to safety, saying it's risky for drivers to leave their cars unattended, especially with an unknown passenger inside.
'You (the passenger) are supposed to change because of security. What if something happens to his car?'
Then came the counterpunch: A few insisted that preparing change is part of good service.
'Drivers are to ensure they have loose change all the time. If the driver has no change, it is his duty to go and change the 50 ringgit, not the customer.' 'Passengers don't need to act like divas…'
Over on Reddit, Malaysians didn't hold back. One user commented:
'Maybe he felt scared his car would be stolen. Maybe he's scared the money is fake. The driver should have prepared loose change, and the passenger didn't need to act like a diva.'
Another added with brutal honesty: 'If I'm the driver, I sure won't be leaving a stranger alone in my car.'
A more balanced view also came in: 'Sometimes shop owners go change. Sometimes customers do. In this case, both didn't want to give in — so it's about who values their time more.'
Perhaps the most entertaining (and insightful) voice came from a self-declared full-time driver:
'I have around RM200 in RM1s ready in the cupholder. It's a miracle creator. Every time people give RM100 or RM50 and see me pull out the book of light blue… suddenly they have change, or their friends magically gather coins. Worst case, they'll ask: 'Bang, QR je la boleh? (Bro, can we just QR pay?)''
Translation: The mere sight of RM1 notes or even worse, all coins has the power to summon forgotten wallets, coin purses, and e-wallet miracles. See also New Study Warns That Vaping Leads to Cancer But what does GrabCar's policy say?
The terms and conditions are clear — if you're paying cash, you're responsible for paying in full, using the selected method. Grab doesn't require drivers to carry small change.
Under section 6.2.1: 'Consumers are required to make full payment… by the method selected… Any payment pursuant to such selection is non-refundable and irrevocable.'
In plain English: If you choose cash, make sure it actually works as cash.
The app also nudges passengers with friendly reminders to prepare the right amount. Most just swipe the reminder away — until they end up in a situation like this.
Here's the full Grab's terms of service, under section 6.2.1 (Payment Terms for Consumers):
Consumers are required to make full payment of the Consumer's Charges for all services offered in the Application by the method selected at the time of booking, which may be cash or one of the automated payment methods available to you on the Application.
Any payment pursuant to such selection is non-refundable and irrevocable. In any event, Grab pays, in part or in full, any Consumer Charges on your behalf related to your use of the Solutions, you are required to reimburse Grab the corresponding amount in the manner and deadline specified by Grab. So who's right?
While Malaysians are moving towards a cashless society, some still love their loose notes. Especially RM50s that no one seems to want when change is involved. See also New malware uses Bluetooth to steal information from victims
So who's right?
Team Driver: 'I'm not a mobile ATM.'
Team Passenger: 'You're a businessman providing a service, so be ready with cash.'
Grab's T&Cs: 'Passengers, please prepare small change.'
In truth, this was a case of poor communication wrapped in poor preparation — and it could've been avoided with a little pre-ride planning or a quick e-wallet scan. A little dash of tact would've gone a long way, too. Don't let RM50 waste your time and cost you your dignity If you're paying with cash, bring small notes.
If you're a driver, a stash of RM1s or coins might save you time and tension (just kidding).
If all else fails, just go cashless. QR is the new RM.
After all, in ride-hailing — just like life — it pays to be prepared.
And speaking of being prepared, the small change drama is just one of many daily hurdles PHV and delivery drivers face. Between back-to-back bookings, high-stress navigation, and dealing with unpredictable customers, their job isn't just demanding — it's draining.
So before you hop into your next ride, here's a must-read for anyone behind the wheel: PHV driver/rider guide for Singaporeans: How being behind the wheel is killing you, and what you can do to stay alive and beat fatigue without hitting the brakes
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Independent Singapore
16 hours ago
- Independent Singapore
'Get out! Get out! This is my car, I'm asking you to get out!' — Tada driver ejects passenger for asking to 'increase air-con speed'
SINGAPORE: In the ever-evolving saga of ride-hailing dramas in Singapore, a new clip has emerged where a simple request for cooler air ended with a chilling command to 'get out!' A Tada driver recently became the subject of a complaint in a TikTok video that surfaced of him demanding a passenger alight—simply because the passenger had asked him to 'increase the air-con speed.' The video, which has since racked up over 22,000 views, kicks off with the passenger calmly asking: 'So you will not increase the air-con for us?' But any hope for a breezy resolution was quickly snuffed out. The driver—clearly not in the mood for thermostat negotiations—responded with a sharp: 'Go ahead and get out!' @tiktoking_var0nn @TADA SG we want action! @Mothership ♬ original sound – tiktoking_var0nn – tiktoking_var0nn The tension escalated as the passenger stood his ground, replying: 'I will not get out.' But the driver wasn't about to be outdone. 'Get out! Get out! I will not fetch you! This is my car, I'm asking you to get out!' The passenger then issued: 'I will put this on social media,' to which the driver, totally unfazed, responded with: 'Go ahead.' Tada's response Responding to a media query by Stomp , Tada confirmed they were aware of the incident and had launched an internal investigation. A company spokesperson said: 'Following our investigation, we have refunded the rider his trip fare. We take such matters seriously and remain committed to working closely with our driver-partners to ensure a positive and respectful environment and ecosystem.' It seems that Tada stopped short of confirming whether disciplinary action was taken against the driver in this statement, but the refund suggests the platform has taken some form of action. So, who controls the car climate? While this wasn't quite a punch-up or door slam heard around the island, the episode adds fuel to the ongoing debate about passenger-driver dynamics in ride-hailing culture. Who decides on the car temperature? Is the passenger always right? Or should the driver—who owns the vehicle and pays the petrol—get final say over the fan speed? How to have a drama-free ride… Let's face it: asking for a cooler breeze shouldn't require the courage of a UN negotiator. But maybe there's something to be said for tone, timing, and tact. The way we ask matters—especially when someone else is behind the wheel. And for drivers, a little patience can go a long way. A kind response may have been enough to keep this trip drama-free and off TikTok. But alas, here we are. Welcome to the age where every ride could turn into viral content, and every conversation might end up with public votes on who's right and who needs a chill pill. Best way to keep cool Whether you're a PHV driver or a passenger, here's a gentle reminder: Sometimes, the best way to keep cool isn't by adjusting the air-con. It's by managing the temperature of our own inner climate; our temper, to be precise. And if things heat up again, there's always Grab, ComfortDelGro, or the ancient art of just walking. Meanwhile, in Malaysia, another TikTok video also recently went viral, showing a Grab car driver and his passenger locked in a heated argument over small change. The passenger handed over a RM50 bill. The driver had no change. This then led into the realm of awkward silence, followed by finger-pointing, raised voices, and eventually, a call to Grab's hotline to save the day. Read about what happened next in this fiery exchange Grab-ride drama over here: 'I don't have small change, you go and change lah!' — GrabCar driver and passenger argue over who should go find loose change for RM50
CNA
2 days ago
- CNA
147,000 customer records affected following data breach at Cycle & Carriage
SINGAPORE: A breach at Cycle & Carriage's database has affected about 147,000 records containing customer information, the car distributor said on Friday (Aug 1). In response to CNA's queries, a spokesperson from Cycle & Carriage said that it was alerted on Jul 14 to "unauthorised access" into its customer relationship management system by a threat actor who downloaded some customer information. "About 147,000 data records are affected. Most of the downloaded records have missing or partial information," added the spokesperson. The affected data records may contain names and contact information - such as email addresses and phone numbers - with about 2 per cent of them containing National Registration Identity Card (NRIC) numbers and deposit amounts. No banking or credit card information was divulged, the spokesperson said. "Once we became aware of the incident, we have taken measures to prevent further unauthorised access to the system. "A thorough investigation was carried out and forensic experts were activated to look into the possible causes of this unauthorised access," the spokesperson added. Apologising to affected customers, Cycle & Carriage said that the company has internal processes, protocols, and training in place to support data governance and cyber hygiene, but will continue to "review and refine these as needed" in light of the incident. The firm has lodged a police report and notified the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC). It has also begun to inform affected customers in batches from Wednesday. In an email sent to a customer on Thursday, which CNA has seen, the firm referred to a "cybersecurity incident" and added that it was still investigating the full scope of the breach. Customers were advised to be cautious of phishing activities or suspicious requests for personal information.
Independent Singapore
2 days ago
- Independent Singapore
Controversy erupts as JB car washes get accused of prioritising Singaporean customers
Photo: Depositphotos/ noname3132 (for illustration purposes only) MALAYSIA: A car wash centre in Johor Bahru has come under fire after a Malaysian man claimed he was turned away in favour of Singaporean customers, sparking public outrage and prompting swift enforcement action by local authorities. According to China Press, the incident came to light when the Malaysian man shared his experience on social media. He alleged that a foreign employee at a car wash in the city told him that the service was exclusively for vehicles with Singaporean registration plates. The car wash operator later clarified that the time slot in question had been pre-booked by Singaporean customers but netizens continued expressing concern over the apparent preference given to foreigners over locals. Johor Bahru authorities have since ordered four car wash operations to shut down for operating without proper licences. Some merchants told local reporters that they had never heard of such discriminatory practices and insisted that locals still frequented these establishments. Others, particularly those in the food and beverage sector, alleged that it was not uncommon for car wash employees to flag down Singapore-registered vehicles from the roadside while ignoring Malaysian cars. See also Mural mural on the wall A manager at one of the affected car wash centres denied any form of discrimination, explaining that while both local and foreign vehicles were welcome, Singaporean customers tended to be more generous with tips. Another car wash owner in the area also rebutted claims of selective service. She noted that most of her Singaporean clients paid in Malaysian ringgit, with no added profit for the business. When asked if she was aware of any centres exclusively serving foreign cars, she said she wasn't. Amid the growing concerns, Johor politicians have directed local councils to revoke the operating licences of any businesses found to be discriminating against Malaysian customers and have stressed that the state will never tolerate those who prioritise foreigners over locals in pursuit of greater profits. Despite the controversy, several car wash workers near KSL City maintained that their services are fair and inclusive. One employee said they treated all customers equally and served them on a first-come, first-served basis, regardless of the origin of their vehicle. 'Most of our customers may be Singaporean, but that doesn't mean we give them special treatment,' said one worker. Investigations are ongoing. () => { const trigger = if ('IntersectionObserver' in window && trigger) { const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries, observer) => { => { if ( { lazyLoader(); // You should define lazyLoader() elsewhere or inline here // Run once } }); }, { rootMargin: '800px', threshold: 0.1 }); } else { // Fallback setTimeout(lazyLoader, 3000); } });
