--- title: "‘Is this normal service in S’pore?’: Australian tourist encounters beer auntie in ‘bad mood’ at Lau Pa Sat" url: "/trending-now/normal-service-spore-australian-tourist-encounters-beer-auntie-bad-mood-lau-pa-sat" published: "2026-10-15T03:02:18.000Z" updated: "2026-10-15T03:44:47.000Z" section: "Trending Now" authors: ["Ivan Lim"] tags: ["TNP News","lau pa sat","beer","Australian","customer service"] --- # ‘Is this normal service in S’pore?’: Australian tourist encounters beer auntie in ‘bad mood’ at Lau Pa Sat *An Australian traveller got upset over what he considered unfriendly service at a bar in Lau Pa Sat, taking to social media to ask if it was “normal service” in Singapore.* An Australian traveller got upset over what he considered unfriendly service at a bar in Lau Pa Sat, taking to social media to ask if it was “normal service” in Singapore. TikToker @CHRISTOS shared a video of the encounter on Oct 9, with the in-screen caption reading: “Is this normal service in Singapore? I just wanted to order some drinks.” The video starts with Christos greeting the server and placing his order — a pint of Tiger beer and a cup of iced lemon tea. The server tells him that his order costs $12 and extends her hand to receive the cash. But when Christos asks for the iced lemon tea, she gestures and says, “behind”, which he appears to miss. She proceeds to dispense the beer from a tap before placing the pint on the bar counter and walking off. Christos grimaces at the camera and says: “She seems in a bad mood. Do I really wanna ask her about the…” ![Australians complains about encounter with ‘bad mood’ beer auntie at Lau Pa Sat](https://cassette.sphdigital.com.sg/image/stomp/9a5385ab36e523bad5188dae54894f5b75d511d5ea169729d3c28c2cec811574) *Christos grimaces at the camera and says: “She seems in a bad mood. Do I really wanna ask her about the…”* A woman he was with tells Christos to take the beer, which he does. “Why was she so mad though? What the heck?” he asks. “It’s good beer though. Oh my gosh,” he remarks, before resuming his protest against the service. “She could have done it with a little bit of a smile. It would have gone a long way,” he says, adding that he appreciates friendly service, though he understands “not everyone does that”. The video ends with him talking about his discovery that Tiger beer is from Singapore and that it is the first time he has consumed it here, although he has had it in “pretty much every Asian country”. ## Netizens clarify what server said The 85-second video has racked up more than 380,000 views, 9,700 reactions, and 1,400 comments. Several netizens tried explaining to Christos what the server meant when she told him to get his iced lemon tea from “behind”. “She actually replied you, ‘behind’, when you asked for the iced lemon tea. In other words, her station only sells beer, and you have to go to another counter to order the iced lemon tea,” explained a netizen. Another said: “I could be wrong, but I think what she was trying to communicate in a poor manner was that iced lemon tea is not available at her counter and that it should be ordered at some other counter behind her.” One netizen took exception at the way the server spoke to the tourist. “That’s what I hate, these counter service replies in very short, easy to miss, inaudible answers and when you ask to repeat they become agitated... Singapore has terrible service,” said the TikTok user. Many netizens agreed that the server did not have the appropriate attitude. “She has a bad attitude. I would’ve told her off. I work in F&B, by the way,” said a netizen. “If she had done that to me, I wouldn’t have let it go easily. I don’t need this kinda attitude. This is a service industry, and you are dealing with humans. This is bad service,” another said. Several netizens thought that the service Christos’ experienced was normal. “This is normal behaviour in Singapore,” said a netizen. “Normal day in Singapore,” another agreed. But there were those who felt this could be improved. “Be better,” said a netizen. “Singapore hospitality definitely can be improved,” another said. And while there were those who apologised for the bad service Christos experienced, he took it in his stride. “Don’t be sorry, it happens! I still think this place is awesome,” said Christos. Netizens from across the Causeway also chimed in on the matter. “If you want good service you have to visit Malaysia,” said one. “Come Malaysia, la, bro, cheaper and better customer service,” another said. The original poster replied: “I’ve been to nearly every country in Asia, including Malaysia. I’ve had both good and bad service in all of them. Nobody is perfect!” The Australian added: “Honestly, some of the worst customer service I’ve experienced was in Australia, can happen anywhere really.” In a follow-up video, Christos shows that he eventually bought his cup of iced lemon tea from another stall, describing it as “very cold and refreshing”.