Woman films herself picking up Hungry Ghost Festival offerings, says fruit is too expensive in Singapore

A woman has sparked an online debate after allegedly filming herself collecting fruit that had been placed along a roadside as offerings during Singapore’s Hungry Ghost Festival.

The woman, who reportedly claimed to be from Sichuan, China, and works as a bus driver in Singapore, was seen picking up apples and oranges in a now-deleted video. She appeared to be amused as she explained that the cost of fruit in Singapore had encouraged her to make use of the offerings.

According to Shin Min Daily News, the woman said in the video: “It’s not easy to work abroad. We have to save every penny. Fruit is so expensive in Singapore!” Her comments subsequently attracted criticism and discussion online, with members of the public divided over whether the food should have been taken.

Woman says picking up offerings was not stealing

In another section of the video, the woman reportedly picked up an orange and attempted to justify her actions by saying that she had offered the fruit to the Bodhisattva earlier in the day.

She was quoted as saying that because she had made the offering herself, taking the fruit afterwards did not amount to stealing. She also said she had thanked the Bodhisattva before leaving with the fruit.

The video did not appear to show the woman eating the fruit. However, footage of her collecting the offerings was circulated online and generated heated reactions from viewers.

Some members of the public expressed concern that taking food placed for spiritual purposes could be viewed as disrespectful, particularly during the Hungry Ghost Festival. Others were more concerned about practical issues, including whether fruit left outdoors for an extended period would still be safe to consume.

Public divided over whether food should go to waste

Not everyone felt that the woman’s actions were necessarily harmful. Some online commenters argued that if the offerings had already been abandoned, allowing edible food to go to waste might not be the best outcome.

Others suggested that people in need could potentially benefit from unwanted food instead, although such practices would still need to take into account hygiene and the religious significance attached to the offerings.

The Hungry Ghost Festival, also known as Zhong Yuan Jie, is observed by many Taoist and Buddhist communities. During the festival period, families may place food, fruit and other offerings outside homes, businesses or along roadsides, while joss paper may also be burnt as part of traditional practices.

Expert warns against disturbing roadside offerings

A folklore expert told Shin Min Daily News that roadside offerings should generally not be disturbed or consumed, describing the practice as a major taboo within traditional beliefs.

The expert explained that roadside offerings differ from food presented specifically to a particular deity or to one’s ancestors. Such offerings are traditionally understood to be intended for wandering spirits.

She also cautioned against deliberately challenging traditional customs for attention or online engagement, saying that cultural practices should be treated with respect even by people who do not personally believe in them.

For those who may have unknowingly breached such customs, she suggested making amends rather than simply dismissing the incident.

Woman advised to return and apologise

The folklore expert suggested that the woman could return to the location where the fruit had been collected, accompanied by someone familiar with the relevant customs.

She could then make additional offerings and sincerely apologise as a way of addressing the perceived disrespect.

The incident has nevertheless highlighted a broader issue surrounding Singapore’s Hungry Ghost Festival, where traditional religious practices can sometimes come into conflict with modern attitudes towards food waste, personal beliefs and social media behaviour.

With the cost of living remaining a concern for many workers in Singapore, the woman’s comments about expensive fruit may have resonated with some viewers. However, the controversy shows that saving money or preventing food waste can still become sensitive when the items involved have a religious or cultural purpose.

Ultimately, the episode serves as a reminder that food left as part of a religious offering should not automatically be treated as discarded produce. During the Hungry Ghost Festival, such items may carry cultural and spiritual significance that extends beyond their monetary value.