GST, for the uninitiated, is Singapore’s Goods and Services Tax. It’s a familiar acronym to anyone who’s ever lived (or visited) the country, and it’s levied on the import of goods and nearly all supplies of goods and services on the island.
But not all hawkers directly charge GST for their food, although the cost could be incorporated into the price tags without an obvious seven percent rate.
All that said, there’s one particular stall in Circuit Road Market & Food Centre that sticks out for its cheery interpretation of the tax acronym. At Kampong Bugis Hakka Yong Tau Fu, you’ll notice a bright orange welcome sign that reads “My Shop Will GST.” However, on closer inspection, it actually translates into “Greet, Smile, Thank you.”
Highlighted by Chinese newspaper Lianhe Wanbao, the business has apparently been around for decades, and it happily adheres to its “GST” motto, putting a smile on customers’ faces not just with the food but with the chipper service as well.
We could all use a light-hearted quip like that to brighten our day.
