Beer promoters — or ‘beer aunties’ as they’re affectionally known — will no longer be a common sight in hawker centres across the island.
The Straits Times reports that breweries have been asked to withdraw all their promoters from the 107 hawker centres and markets managed by the National Environment Agency (NEA). Some would notice that they’ve all disappeared for about two weeks now.
Of course, this would mean that the boisterous charm they add to our favourite makan places would be eliminated, and that’s exactly what the NEA wants. In the letters that have been issued to hawker drink stall operators earlier this month about the ban, the agency did not allow beer promoters at their establishments as it could lead to touting among various drink stalls.
The NEA seems to take issue with the fact that patrons at hawker centres are being harassed and touted when the beer promoters compete for business. The letter also reiterated that non-Singaporeans are no allowed to operate or assist at hawker stalls.
NEA’s decision to ban beer aunties outright has been met with mixed reactions from both patrons and drink stall owners. Businesses are inevitably affected, with sales plummeting as there are no longer anyone promoting the purchase of beers. Some patrons on the other hand feel more at ease with the absence of beer aunties, as they no longer have to face persistent and pushy sales tactics.
Photo: Yasmina Haryono via Flickr
