A 19-year-old man dining alone at a hawker centre in Sengkang was reportedly confronted by an elderly stranger who allegedly stared at him before flinging pieces of leftover food onto his meal.
The incident took place at Anchorvale Village Hawker Centre at around 7.28pm on 22 October, according to reports. The teenager, identified as Junbin, later shared a video of the encounter on Instagram, showing a tense exchange between the two men.
The incident has drawn attention to public behaviour and personal safety in Singapore’s hawker centres, where diners typically share communal spaces with strangers.
Stranger Allegedly Flings Leftover Brinjal at Teenager’s Meal
Speaking to Mothership, Junbin said he was eating alone when the elderly man sat down opposite him without saying anything.
The man allegedly pushed his tray against Junbin’s before staring at him for approximately a minute. He then used his chopsticks to flick pieces of leftover brinjal towards the teenager, with some reportedly landing on his food.
Junbin began recording the encounter and asked the man what was wrong and whether he had done anything to offend him.
According to the video, the man did not provide an explanation and instead told Junbin to stop pointing the camera at him.
The confrontation appeared to escalate when the elderly man stood up and moved towards the camera, pointing at it. Junbin attempted to block him with his hand as the man appeared to move backwards before approaching him again and raising his hand.
The recording ended with the man appearing to thrust his hand forwards. The available footage does not establish what happened immediately afterwards.
Teenager Says Bystanders Did Not Step In
After the recording stopped, Junbin said he asked people nearby for help on three occasions.
However, he claimed that the people around him either continued watching or shook their heads rather than intervening. He eventually collected his food and belongings and moved to another table.
Despite the experience, Junbin urged members of the public to remain calm if they encounter similar situations.
He advised people to avoid reacting impulsively and to try to de-escalate confrontations, particularly when dealing with elderly individuals.
His response highlights a common dilemma for bystanders witnessing disputes in public places: whether to intervene directly, seek assistance or avoid becoming involved in a potentially volatile situation.
Members of the public who witness threatening behaviour can consider alerting nearby staff or security personnel and contacting the police if there is an immediate danger.
Cleaner Claims Man Frequently Stares at Young Men
A reporter from Shin Min Daily News visited the hawker centre the following day and spoke to a 70-year-old cleaner who said she recognised the elderly man.
The cleaner, who had previously seen him at another nearby hawker centre, claimed that he frequently stared at young men. She said he would sometimes make gestures to attract their attention if they ignored him.
However, she added that she had not personally witnessed him becoming involved in an actual altercation.
The cleaner also recounted an incident involving her nephew, who was reportedly stared at by the same man and nearly became involved in a physical confrontation.
Other hawkers at the food centre also said they recognised the individual, describing him as someone who often ate there alone.
Their accounts suggest that the man was familiar to some people working in the area. However, the claims about his previous behaviour remain accounts from the individuals interviewed and do not independently establish the circumstances surrounding the latest incident.
Incident Raises Questions About Public Conduct
Hawker centres are important communal spaces in Singapore, bringing together people of different ages and backgrounds. While most visits pass without incident, confrontations between strangers can make other diners feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
In situations involving unwanted behaviour, keeping a safe distance and avoiding unnecessary escalation may help prevent matters from worsening. Recording an incident can also provide a record of events, although personal safety should remain the priority.
For bystanders, offering assistance from a safe distance or seeking help from staff may be more appropriate than physically intervening in an altercation.
The incident at Anchorvale Village Hawker Centre has also prompted questions about how people should respond when someone behaves aggressively in a shared dining space.
Based on the reports available, there has been no confirmed information about whether a police report was lodged or whether the elderly man has been identified by the authorities in connection with the incident.
The teenager’s video and the accounts from the cleaner and hawkers have brought the encounter to public attention, but further details about any subsequent action remain unavailable.
The incident serves as a reminder that disagreements between strangers can escalate quickly, even in everyday settings such as a neighbourhood hawker centre.