SINGAPORE — A home-based business has come under fire for a series of signs directed at food delivery riders that were deemed rude and disrespectful.
A photo of the handwritten signs, which seem to be placed at the entrance of the business, was posted on Instagram on Tuesday (April 23) by alternative news site Wake Up, Singapore as well as SG Riders, an group that described itself as “speaking up on behalf of all delivery riders in Singapore”.
On the three signs that were seen on Instagram, specific instructions were laid out for delivery riders.
One sign instructs riders to ring the bell, state their order number and wait patiently, saying there is a bench for riders to sit.
A second sign reminds riders arriving early that “orders take time to prepare” and offers them the option to cancel the order.
The third sign reads: “If you cannot wait… maybe this job is not for you.”
It then lists alternative jobs that supposedly require no waiting such as toilet cleaning, grave digging, and landscaping.
SPEAKING UP FOR DELIVERY RIDERS
SG Riders expressed its disapproval of the message on Instagram.
“While we appreciate the bench offered for waiting, the rude and degrading comments are uncalled for and unnecessary,” the administrator wrote in the caption.
It explained that delivery riders may seem impatient at times because their income depends on completing deliveries quickly. Long waiting times at pick-up points are a major concern since they affect the riders’ earnings directly.
The group concluded the post with a call for more empathy and understanding from businesses.
The post written in collaboration with Wake Up, Singapore on Instagram received close to 6,000 likes and more than 300 comments within a day.
‘A BROADER SOCIAL ISSUE’
Social media users expressed their disapproval of the message.
Many felt that the message was condescending and disrespectful towards riders and vowed to boycott the business, which some have identified as specialty coffee and cookies business Bincho Brews.
TODAY has reached out to Bincho Brews for comments.
Instagram user “syjhig” commented: “The last cardboard (sign) really grinds my gears because it doesn’t even make sense and jumps straight into alluding that riders should be thankful for their job and if they aren’t, they should take on what they think are less desirable jobs?”
Calling the sign “cruel”, the post added: “Imagine having such a nasty outlook on life that it can’t help but ooze out, even if it costs the dignity of your own business.”
This post received nearly 1,000 likes.
Others emphasised the vital role that food delivery riders play in daily life: “You can just bully riders? Riders are also human. Without riders, I don’t think I can survive. They play a very important part in my life.”
The incident also highlights a broader societal issue, some online users said.
Instagram user “cardejah” commented: “Frankly, this reflects everything wrong with Singapore society’s blatant disrespect for essential workers and services.
“What sort of La La Land are these people living in that they think the luxuries and conveniences they enjoy… can function without these service people.”
The inclusion of the term “FOC” (“free of charge”) to sit on the bench also raised eyebrows.
One comment went: “The FOC threw me off already, then they go on with ‘cancel order’ (if you cannot wait) and recommend jobs they think are degrading but actually are jobs that require patience, energy and hard work.
“I wonder, don’t they feel the slightest guilt to write that proudly?”
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