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Hindustan Times
01-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Tourist fined ₹13,000 for bringing durian into Singapore hotel room
A Chinese tourist visiting Singapore was taken aback when she received a S$200 (approx. ₹13,000) fine from her hotel — all because she brought a durian into her room, unaware that it was against the rules, reported MS News. The traveller took to the Chinese social networking and e-commerce platform. Xiaohongshu (XHS) and shared her experience to warn other visitors not to repeat her mistake She recalled on XHS that she and a friend had been exploring the city when they came across a roadside durian stall. With no seating available, they decided to pack the famously pungent fruit in a Styrofoam box and return to their hotel to enjoy it. During the cab ride back, her friend pointed out that the strong smell was already escaping the box. In an attempt to contain it, she wrapped the box tightly in cling film. 'I did so as I was afraid the driver would be bothered by the smell,' she said. 'But he didn't seem to react to our conversation.' Once in their room, the pair began eating the durian without giving it much thought. But after returning from sightseeing later that evening, she found a surprising note placed on her hotel bed. 'Once I saw that letter, I felt something was amiss,' she said. The note read: 'Please be informed that our Housekeeper found Durian smell in your room… SG200 will be imposed for a cleaning fee.' The fine came as a shock. 'I can't believe my eyes. S$200 is about 1,000 RMB,' she wrote. Also read: Chicago museum boss to keep $1 million job after getting drunk and stripping naked on flight Worried, she began looking through posts on XHS and realised that other travellers had experienced similar issues. 'Some were stopped by hotel staff at the entrance,' she wrote, 'while others managed to get the cleaning fee waived.' She contacted the hotel's front desk in hopes of appealing the fine. 'I argued with the staff,' she said. 'I confessed I was in the wrong and even asked if they could give me a little discount.' She explained that it was never her intention to break any rules. 'I wouldn't be so foolish as to come to another country and test the rules,' she said. However, the hotel did not budge. Staff explained that due to the strong odour left in the room, it would require professional cleaning and would be out of service for several days. Having learnt her lesson, the tourist signed off with a warning to others: never bring durian into your hotel room while in Singapore. Also read: US woman moved to India at 19 for a job: 'Didn't know my salary, didn't know anyone'
New Paper
16-05-2025
- New Paper
'Extremely shocked': Employer warns of allegedly illegal cosmetic procedures after maid's experience
A Singaporean employer is warning others about illegal cosmetic procedures allegedly taking place behind City Plaza after her maid returned home with a swollen face. In an Instagram post on May 13, the employer, Ms Zhou, said she was "extremely shocked and angry" when her maid admitted to undergoing a nose thread lift and dental braces on her day off, May 11. But what alarmed her more was the location: not a licenced clinic, but what she described as a makeshift setup in a back alley behind City Plaza, a spot commonly frequented by domestic workers. "I was extremely shocked and angry," Ms Zhou wrote, noting that the procedures had been carried out without any professional supervision or basic hygiene standards. According to Ms Zhou, her maid found the services through a TikTok account advertising low-cost cosmetic enhancements. All communication reportedly took place through the comment section, with payments made in cash at the site. The prices? A nose thread lift for $100 and dental braces for $180. "She told me more than 20 people were there that day doing the same thing," Ms Zhou said, adding that the procedures were carried out by an Indonesian woman who spoke Javanese. It's unclear if the woman is a domestic worker herself, or even legally residing in Singapore. "There's a possibility these 'service providers' aren't even based here," Ms Zhou speculated. "They could be flying in over weekends, performing the procedures, and leaving with thousands in cash," she added. What disturbed Ms Zhou further was the lack of aftercare advice given to her maid. The person who performed her maid's procedures merely instructed her to "keep the braces on for one year," assuring her that her teeth would straighten naturally during that time. Ms Zhou believes this points to a larger issue - one where domestic workers, many of whom may not fully understand the risks, are being misled and taken advantage of. "These maids are not highly educated. They may not know that braces need to be tightened regularly, or that you have to consult a dentist often," she said. "I understand that, as a woman, she wants to look good, so she went ahead with it because it was cheap. She probably thought, if others can do it, she can, too," she added. When asked about hygiene, her maid revealed that the woman performing the procedures didn't wash her hands or wear gloves. Ms Zhou said she immediately explained the risks of infections, disease transmission, and unsafe tools. While her maid has not reported any side effects so far, Ms Zhou said she filed a police report and is speaking out in hopes that others, especially employers, will take notice. "I'm just surprised no one else is talking about this. My maid said many others were doing fillers too. It seems common, but no one's raising the alarm," she wrote. City Plaza management says it has received no complaints In response to queries from MS News, the Management Corporation Strata Title (MCST) of City Plaza said it had not received any complaints or feedback about unauthorised procedures being carried out on the premises. "The MCST is responsible for the maintenance and management of common property under the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act," a spokesperson said. "Business activities conducted within private premises are beyond our jurisdiction," the spokesperson said, adding that its responsibilities under the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act (BMSMA) limit its authority to common property only.
The Sun
16-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
SG employee rage-quits, takes MacBook as ‘bonus' — Netizens slam her as ‘super immature'
IN a bizarre turn of events, a woman in Singapore quit her job in a fit of rage and walked off with a company-issued MacBook Pro, claiming it was compensation for a bonus she didn't receive. The incident came to light through a viral Reddit post titled 'Ex-colleague rage-quit and took company laptop as 'bonus'', where the original poster (OP) shared that he learned of the situation after receiving a call from his former boss. ALSO READ: 'I support a cancer NGO' - M'sian job seeker stunned as male employer insists on cutting female staff's hair short 'One of my ex-colleagues from my previous company just rage-quit because she didn't receive a bonus. Instead of serving notice, she just submitted 24 hour resignation letter— and took the company laptop with her. 'Her reasoning? That the laptop is her 'contra' for the bonus she thinks she's entitled to. 'I don't know the full story from her side, but this feels very off. The laptop has company data and it's technically company property, not a token of appreciation you just walk off with. HR and IT are now trying to figure out what to do. 'Has anyone dealt with something like this before? 'What can a company realistically do in this kind of situation? Legal route or call police lol. 'Would appreciate any advice or experiences you can share. It's a Macbook Pro,' the post read. Speaking to MS News, the OP, a former Sales Manager at the company, explained that tensions flared after employees were informed there would be no bonuses this year due to financial constraints. 'While the company never guaranteed bonuses, the employees have been receiving them for the past few years,' he said. He also shared his advice to his ex-boss on how to handle the situation: 'I also advised my former boss to lodge a police report immediately when he asked for my advice on how to handle the situation.' Online reactions were swift, with many netizens condemning the woman's actions. One user called hamachired wrote: 'Sounds like a super immature employee. Well, that's theft through and through. If they really wanted to pursue it, can become a police case.' 'Company laptop is company property. They can call the police. Kinda silly to go to jail over a MacBook,' invigo79 commented.
