A recent Grab transaction has stirred a heated online discussion after a video surfaced showing a delivery driver allegedly refusing a payment made with coins. The clip, reportedly filmed on 8 July at 5.30pm and shared via the popular Instagram account @sgfollowsall, has since gone viral, reigniting debate about payment etiquette and assumptions about nationality in Singapore.
According to the individual who uploaded the video, the driver cited “MAS Currency Law” as his reason for refusing the payment, claiming that no more than 10 coins could be used in a single transaction. However, the customer contested this interpretation, pointing out that Singapore’s legal tender limit actually applies to 10 coins of the same denomination, not to the total number of coins presented.
The customer also accused the driver of making presumptions about her nationality and lecturing her on the law—claims which have sparked polarised responses across social media.
Legal Tender or Just Inconvenient?
Under Singapore’s Currency Act, coins are legal tender up to the following limits:
- 10 coins for denominations of 5-cent, 10-cent, 20-cent, 50-cent, and $1
- Unlimited for $1 and $2 notes
This means a vendor or service provider is not legally required to accept more than 10 coins per denomination in one transaction. Still, in day-to-day interactions, most vendors and drivers exercise discretion unless the coin payment is unusually excessive.
In this case, the customer insisted that her payment did not breach the law and that the refusal was unjustified. However, many online commenters sided with the Grab driver, saying that such coin payments are inconsiderate and burdensome for frontliners who are already stretched thin.
Social Media Backlash Turns Ugly
While the original post called for awareness and better understanding of currency laws, much of the commentary spiralled into personal attacks and xenophobic remarks. Some users pointed out the woman’s accent, with disparaging comments suggesting she was a foreigner and using offensive acronyms like “CECA” (a derogatory term referencing the India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement).
Other users questioned her motives, accusing her of deliberately filming the encounter to gain online sympathy or stir controversy.
Despite the video gaining traction, Grab has yet to release a formal statement addressing the incident. The silence has done little to cool tempers online, with users continuing to take sides and fuel the ongoing debate.
Coin Controversy Highlights Deeper Issues
This viral incident reflects a broader frustration within the service industry—where delivery drivers and frontliners often have to deal with demanding customers and unclear expectations. At the same time, it also reveals how quickly public discourse can devolve into xenophobia when assumptions about someone’s background are made without facts.
As Singapore continues to juggle the realities of a diverse population and a fast-paced gig economy, clearer communication and mutual respect between customers and service providers will be essential. Perhaps, more importantly, social media users may need to exercise greater restraint before rushing to judgement—online or offline.