A woman who went to People’s Park Complex in Chinatown for a meal reportedly found herself in an uncomfortable situation after noticing older men getting intimate with female companions at the food court.
The woman later shared her experience online, describing the ground-floor food court as a place where female companionship appeared to be readily available. She also claimed that some men approached her after mistaking her for one of the women accompanying the drinkers.
According to a report by Shin Min Daily News, the woman visited the food court on a weekend for lunch before returning in the evening for mala soup. However, what she encountered during her second visit was far from an ordinary dining experience.
Woman Claims She Was Mistaken For A Drinking Companion
The woman said that most of the patrons she saw during the evening were men aged above 60. Some were accompanied by women believed to be in their 40s, with several reportedly wearing revealing outfits.
She claimed that some of the men had their arms around the women, while others appeared to be openly affectionate in the public dining area.
The woman also alleged that she was approached and harassed after being mistaken for one of the female companions. Feeling uncomfortable, she decided to leave the food court in a hurry.
Online commenters reportedly said the atmosphere could be quite different depending on the day and time. While weekday lunch periods were described as relatively ordinary, Friday evenings and weekends allegedly attracted a different crowd.
Some commenters claimed that older men frequently gathered there to drink, with women sitting alongside patrons at numerous tables.
Reporter Witnesses Men Getting Intimate With Women
Following the online account, a Shin Min Daily News reporter visited the food court during the weekend to observe the situation.
During the visit, the reporter reportedly saw an older man getting handsy with a middle-aged woman before entering the food court. The man allegedly withdrew his hands quickly after noticing someone approaching.
The food court was reportedly almost full, with bottles and drinking glasses occupying many of the tables. Most of the patrons appeared to be older men, some of whom were accompanied by younger female companions.
The reporter also witnessed an older man and a woman leaving the food court before embracing and kissing outside the nearby toilets. The interaction lasted a few seconds, and the pair appeared unconcerned about the people around them.
Women Seen Keeping Drinkers Company
The reporter subsequently posed as a diner and was reportedly directed by a beer promoter to share a table with male patrons.
Some women were seen serving beer, while others occasionally helped pour drinks. However, their main activity appeared to involve sitting with the men and keeping them company.
One woman was reportedly observed greeting several patrons warmly and addressing them as “older brothers”.
She told the reporter that she did not work at the food court regularly and had been invited to drink there. Describing her schedule, she said she regarded the gathering as her “early shift” before heading to her night job.
Patrons Allegedly Give Women S$10 To S$20 In Tips
Several men told the reporter that they were regular customers who visited the food court to drink whenever they had time.
According to the report, some patrons said they gave the women tips ranging from S$10 to S$20 for sitting with them, acknowledging that the women were earning a living through the arrangement.
One patron reportedly suggested that women who visited multiple tables throughout an evening could earn approximately S$100.
During the reporter’s visit, some women were also seen flirting with the drinkers and kissing them on the cheeks.
However, when asked whether they would visit the nightlife establishments where the women worked, the men reportedly declined, citing the high costs associated with such venues.
Number Of Female Companions Reportedly Increases
Nearby businesses told Shin Min Daily News that the number of women accompanying drinkers had reportedly increased over time.
According to the report, there were previously only four or five women regularly seen keeping patrons company. The number had since grown to more than 10, following an increase in men bringing women from elsewhere.
The account has drawn attention to the changing atmosphere at the food court during evening hours and on weekends, although experiences may differ depending on when visitors arrive.
For diners who simply want to enjoy a meal at People’s Park Complex, the woman’s account serves as a reminder that the atmosphere at a public dining spot can vary considerably between lunchtime and the evening drinking crowd.
Image via Shin Min Daily News