Me Time!
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MrsKiasu\" post_id=\"2134586\" time=\"1717469202\" user_id=\"43981:
I set up Wechat pay some 10 years ago!
In China, I remember paying for strawberries from auntie selling at road side already cashless before covid time. I guess must be lucky having the cashless system during covid.
I find it difficult to function in China on Free & Easy travel, without Wechat pay or Didichuxing for that matter. Many shops and taxi drivers do not have change, or struggle to find change. Many vending machines do not accept cash. Even metro train tickets - even though machines may accept cash, the cash function doesn't seem to be working properly (doesn't seem to swallow cash well) as this function is not frequently utilized or maintained, and it ends up easier to pay by Wechat.
Also, all the coupons for eateries, fast food etc pop up on Wechat pages haha.
More importantly, the Wechat function is pretty important in communicating with locals like drivers (if you hire one for the day), or a shop vendor if you want their contact or to enquire on certain products or to arrange delivery etc. -
zac's mum\" post_id=\"2134581\" time=\"1717467576\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2134581 time=1717467576 user_id=53606]
Some workarounds (not that DH has tried, becos he always relies on me): take a photo of it with HP, then pinch zoom to enlarge the font. Or bring your laohua glasses when u go out (he refuses to!)[/quote]
thats what i m doing, i m not wearing progressive lens cos sometimes i still wear contact lens (worst cant take out to see menu but i 爱美， no choice - so cannt see manual menu or digital must expand big .
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in sg, we have too many app : fairprice is vry common now, paylah, grabpay, favepay etc etc
But in china is rather unified ? - either we chat or Alipay and their app like dooddug mentioned is very \"powerful\"
inside the payment app will have diff app widgets like transport, food , shop etc
i also need to download n use wechat now when dh go china for biztrip to comm.
mrsks, i also just got to know the cc admin charge for taxi fares
but i think using Grab to book n pay no cc admin charge -
starlight1968sg\" post_id=\"2134578\" time=\"1717460714\" user_id=\"14025:
Was at Zhongshan mall last week. Walked pass the Foodcourt, chicken rice was selling at $6.50 per plate. Dabao McDonald’s instead as Saver’s Meal is only $5 - $5.50 and it comes with a drink somemore!!
I found a stall in a coffee shop near BB swimming pool that sells fish ball noodles at $3.50! The portion of noodles is decent. The shop closes once all food sold.
Stalls selling a meal less than $5 are quite hard to find.
When I was a kid, having fast food was like a luxurious weekend treat. Now a plate of chicken rice actually costs more than a Mac meal. Amazing how Mac can keep their cost low. -
doodbug\" post_id=\"2134579\" time=\"1717466933\" user_id=\"13281:
https://www.straitstimes.com/life/doing-charity-encouraging-healthy-eating-adhering-to-onerous-rules-is-too-much-being-asked-of-hawkers
I know I probably am in the minority who is of the view that it is actually easier for me to get a nutritionally balanced (those who are counting macros will understand what I mean) meal in Western Europe (excludes Scandinavia & Switzerland) at a more affordable price than in Singapore. Most hawker food is not nutritionally balanced. I can get a bowl of fishball noodles at $5 (it won't be $5 at food courts), but that doesn't go anywhere in fulfilling protein, vitamins or mineral needs for the day. Yes it does fulfil the carbohydrates requirements. You do need 40g of protein a day. Most hawker dishes, even if there is one serving of protein, require adding a portion of veg, plus a fruit, to make a balanced meal.
In many Western countries, filled sandwiches and wraps are typically filled substantially with veg and meat, which makes for a balanced meal.
That said, basic meals in Singapore to fill one's stomachs are no doubt, still cheaper in Singapore. A plate of fried hokkien mee or carrot cake - I guess a Western equivalent might be a pizza or fast food? While kopi-si in Singapore will be cheaper than a latte overseas, over the years, I have gravitated to making my own lattes to cut down on the processed coffee powder and condensed/evaporated milk used in local beverages.
Maybe should encourage Singaporeans to cook and eat healthily at home. If we eat Fishball noodles, carrot cake, chicken rice on a daily basis, this will come back to haunt us in terms of medical cost for us and the govt (high blood, high cholesterol and diabetes).
Recently chanced upon two articles in ST, hinting about the suppression of hawker food’s prices. One hawker said for every Budget Meal he sells, he loses 50cents. To me, that’s very bad, bullying the lowly educated hawkers??
A simple meal at Toast Box (mee siam + coffee + a slice of cake) for example, costs like $10? When big organizations have business consultants to advise, they can sell at a higher price whereas hawkers who have no business consulting firms to advise them, have to sell meals at a loss? 欺善怕恶 !!! -
MrsKiasu\" post_id=\"2134585\" time=\"1717468900\" user_id=\"43981:
I’m better with CDC as I download & on my safari, can whip out anytime.
I find myself clumsy when using app to pay at hawker ctr, including using CDC. But supermarkets very efficient even can whip out additional card ie member card using credit card payment. I think probably haven't got forced to use app yet.
On another matter, I was so suaku to use CC to pay taxifare to airport, there is admin charge+GST. Pls dont use CC.
I’m less agile when using CC with promo. Can’t keep up with such long lists of promo esp on TRUST Card & don’t bother with any UOB or DBS promo, unless big discounts or promo. I get dizzy & refuse to stand at cashier holding up Qs whilst searching for whatever. Other’s time more impt then my small discounts. -
MyPillow\" post_id=\"2134588\" time=\"1717469775\" user_id=\"70594:
Not that I wish it upon anyone, t I thot I was the only one always wearing my glasses over my head when reading menu! Lol 😂 thats what i m doing, i m not wearing progressive lens cos sometimes i still wear contact lens (worst cant take out to see menu but i 爱美， no choice - so cannt see manual menu or digital must expand big . -
lee_yl\" post_id=\"2134590\" time=\"1717470768\" user_id=\"17023:
It might be the difference is btwn price of frozen products and fresh chicken bah. Drinks are easiest to make money, as ingredients load can be twitch with amt of ice & water to dilute. I usually don’t get attracted by free drinks coz it’s usually sugar laden.
Was at Zhongshan mall last week. Walked pass the Foodcourt, chicken rice was selling at $6.50 per plate. Dabao McDonald’s instead as Saver’s Meal is only $5 - $5.50 and it comes with a drink somemore!!
When I was a kid, having fast food was like a luxurious weekend treat. Now a plate of chicken rice actually costs more than a Mac meal. Amazing how Mac can keep their cost low. -
lee_yl\" post_id=\"2134591\" time=\"1717471089\" user_id=\"17023:
I was also thinking if the hawkers can hv a localized association to bulk purchase common ingredients like eggs, salt, oil, etc. Think most big orgns like ToastBox, McD, etc hv economy of scale & big central kitchens to store bulk purchases & hence hv bigger savings to compete with small stall holders at hawker centres.
https://www.straitstimes.com/life/doing-charity-encouraging-healthy-eating-adhering-to-onerous-rules-is-too-much-being-asked-of-hawkers
Maybe should encourage Singaporeans to cook and eat healthily at home. If we eat Fishball noodles, carrot cake, chicken rice on a daily basis, this will come back to haunt us in terms of medical cost for us and the govt (high blood, high cholesterol and diabetes).
Recently chanced upon two articles in ST, hinting about the suppression of hawker food’s prices. One hawker said for every Budget Meal he sells, he loses 50cents. To me, that’s very bad, bullying the lowly educated hawkers??
A simple meal at Toast Box (mee siam + coffee + a slice of cake) for example, costs like $10? When big organizations have business consultants to advise, they can sell at a higher price whereas hawkers who have no business consulting firms to advise them, have to sell meals at a loss? 欺善怕恶 !!!
Unfortunately, I don’t eat out as often due to aversion to MSG, o’wise supporting local livelihood is good. I s’times enjoy the interactions with stallholders. I met an old couple selling wanton noodles when getting a bowl for MIL & was surprised they were naturalized PRCs & a very kind elderly couple. It’s alot more hardwork compared to machine prepared meals at central kitchen with helpers assembling at outlets.
Yes, cooking at home is better in many ways & we can orchestrate the type & level of nutrition as well. Also, for me, I don’t store a single grain of MSG, other than what is alr in my bottles of store-bought sauces. -
doodbug\" post_id=\"2134579\" time=\"1717466933\" user_id=\"13281:
I agree. I've been puzzled for years why veg has been disappearing from our hawker meals in Singapore. Veg portions in even restaurants and caifan stalls are getting smaller. And when they are part of a meal like with noodles, chicken rice etc, they have all but vanished. Since meat is more expensive than veg, pound for pound, it can't be because of costs. Is the average Singaporean's aversion to veg because we don't eat it enough, or are hawkers giving us what the majority want?
I know I probably am in the minority who is of the view that it is actually easier for me to get a nutritionally balanced (those who are counting macros will understand what I mean) meal in Western Europe (excludes Scandinavia & Switzerland) at a more affordable price than in Singapore. Most hawker food is not nutritionally balanced. I can get a bowl of fishball noodles at $5 (it won't be $5 at food courts), but that doesn't go anywhere in fulfilling protein, vitamins or mineral needs for the day. Yes it does fulfil the carbohydrates requirements. You do need 40g of protein a day. Most hawker dishes, even if there is one serving of protein, require adding a portion of veg, plus a fruit, to make a balanced meal.
In many Western countries, filled sandwiches and wraps are typically filled substantially with veg and meat, which makes for a balanced meal.
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