Bei and I had an early rise to go for a enthusiastic jog at 6.30am this morning. As I have already planned my menu for tonight’s dinner the previous night, I decided to do my marketing for the only ingredient that I need, straight after our jog. Since we will be jogging around Seng Kang Square area and it is too early for a worthy marketing at Cold Storage in Compasspoint, I decided that I could perhaps give it a try at the only available choice then - the so-called “wet market” at Kopitiam Square (KS) just opposite.
“Are you sure you want do that?…”alright, at least this time, it’s one whole chicken, there is no chance for monkey business”, Bei relented nonetheless.
“But, no bargaining this time, cos you know they don’t buy that, not like the real wet market we knew”…”But have you forgotten those past experiences?” he continued cautiously.
“Nope, we will just buy the chicken straight and leave thereafter”, Bei was quick enough to warn me immediately as he noticed that I have started to scan through the piles of seafood and vegetables, as we slowly made our way through to the chicken stall.
I nodded sheepishly, smiling back at him gratefully.
So under Bei’s “strict supervision”, we did get our chicken without any unnecessary delay. The black chicken was chopped up into four pieces by the hawker uncle which was requested by us.
You see, it has been a long while since our last homemade herbal soup, hence I was really excited and was already visualizing how my tonic soup will look like after its done, with the tantalizing aroma and smoothness of the nourishing soup to indulge ourselves with later in the evening.
Now you may be wondering what is the big deal for buying stuffs from KS? Fact is, I have not patronize any of the stalls at this KS since my last feedback letter to ZaoBao back in May, due to the lousy experiences I previously encountered. For countless times, I had bought from there vegetables that are more expensive than the nearby supermarkets, fishes that are less fresh (not cheap either) and poultry that weighed lesser than it claimed. Since then, Bei and I made a pact and decided that we are going to boycott them (esp. the chicken stall), even if it means going farther or more expensive purchases.
So yes, sure enough I was being punished for eating up my words so soon.
Needless to say now, that was indeed a wrong move for me. Getting back home and when I opened up the bag of chopped chicken, I realized that one of the chicken breast was gone! Alas, he did it again! I shook my head with disappointment. I called out to Bei immediately.
Who move away the chicken breast?
“Okay, this is it! we shall never ever step into that dammed place again!” I can see that Bei is very firm this time. Well so am I.
Meanwhile during the day, few interesting thoughts sprouted through my mind:
(1) I tried to reason how a sound and sane business man could be tempted to risk resorting to this action and hoping that his customers will not discover eventually? What was he thinking at that point in time? Was it sheer greed cos knowing by doing this to his few of his customers for the day, he could probably save enough pieces to make up to a decent chicken feast for himself tonight, at the expense of his customers whom he cheated?
(2) Was he being selective in choosing his preys? I reckon that if I am like someone who look older and seen more experienced with life, less naïve/gullible- looking, I would not have suffered the same fate. But really, has anyone ever advised him that one should never judge a person by his looks, appearance or age?
(3) Would he be expecting some sort of repercussion by doing so? I mean, the overall businesses at KS had already performed below what it initially claimed – providing we residents a friendly ’wet market’ environment with reasonable and affordable (if not cheaper) prices and fresh products. Any passersby could easily notice that those KS stalls have been struggling all these while, with more stall owners than patrons hanging around even at the supposedly peak hours. Did it ever came across his mind that by doing so, his future lossess might be more unthinkable? A Chinese saying spells it all out: Bad news spread a thousand mile.
(4) It did came to my mind whether should I lodge a complaint to CASE on this hawker. Well, I do not mind the $10 admin charge nor the time needed to follow up on any matter if required to do so, as I just wanted him to receive the due warning. But then, was he worth me doing this? Was it worthy of me to spend another half an hour of my life to bring back that bag of chicken trying to argue with the hawker which he will deny it for sure?
Eventually, I did come to terms with myself as I believe that whatever actions we took, there will always be return of some form of karma, little or huge, good or bad. This goes especially true for evil-doers. This might just be one big reason why the businesses at KS was that bad.
To me, it is definitely not succumbing to reality or feeling helplessly thinking: “oh, there is nothing we can do about it, he will continue his ways, so let him be…” It is more of whether is it worthy of my time and effort? No, I am rather sure of that.
(5) Yes, ultimately it was still my own fault. I have to recognize this fact and I could not blame anyone more. I was the one not being firm in my intuitive belief. I had said/ reminded myself that I will not repeat my mistake again, but I eventually compromised what I felt strongly for and not standing by it whole-heartedly, just for the sake of some quick conveniences. This is indeed the repercussion (or karma) arising from my actions taken.
Obviously, I have not learnt my previous lessons hard enough and still allow myself to be exploited by the poor business ethics that some of the stall owners here constantly practiced. Although this visit proved to be a unhappy one but it virtually reinforced my determination never to repeat history again.
Well, no matter what, with or without the other chicken breast, Bei and I are still going to enjoy our herbal chicken soup to the fullest tonight! J
