A dispute has erupted in Singapore after a customer accused a hawker vendor of rude behavior. Tan, a local resident, had placed a $33 order for popiah (a type of spring roll) for his aunt's birthday on November 17.

When Tan arrived at the stall to collect his order at 10:40 AM, he was told to join the queue. Feeling rushed and seeing a long line, Tan requested a refund but was told to wait. Eventually, when it was his turn, the vendor refused to serve him and issued a refund.

Tan expressed his frustration, stating, "I waited in line for 40 minutes. If they didn't want to take my order, they should have refunded me immediately instead of making me wait." He was particularly upset that the vendor did not provide a reason for refusing his order.

"I've ordered popiah in large quantities from this stall before, but this has never happened. The vendor seems to have no respect for customers and feels like they cheated me," Tan added.

With no popiah for his aunt's birthday, Tan was forced to order takeout elsewhere.

In an interview with Shin Min Daily News, the vendor claimed that it was his assistant who had taken Tan's order and that Tan was informed about the queue. The vendor explained that they had prepared the ingredients for Tan's order and that it took time to prepare the food.

However, Tan became angry when he was told to wait in line and demanded a refund immediately. The vendor said, "I decided to refund him when it was his turn because I thought he would still be angry even after eating the popiah."

The vendor also admitted to being upset after the encounter with Tan and had to discard the ingredients prepared for his order.

Tan later called the vendor to confront him, but the vendor's explanation did not appease him. "I run a one-man show, and sometimes I get overwhelmed. I hope customers can understand," the vendor said.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]