Recently, the the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Donald Tsang came to Singapore for a visit. Supposedly, he wanted to try the Bak Kut Teh at Balestier Road for supper. They called up the shop in the morning to make arrangements, and the staff told them that they are not opened at night and refused to accomodate them. So they changed to the 1 at Outram Park instead. The Outram Park Bak Kut Teh did not open at night too, but they are willing to open the shop just to serve him.

After that, he said that this shows that Singaporean are too rigid in following rules and do not know how to cut corners. While I agree with his comments about Singaporean being too rigid, his use of the Bak Kut Teh as example is ridiculous. No doubt, he is the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and it demands some respect from commoners like us, but if the stall owner don't want to do business with him, it's his choice isn't it? If he's really so hard up for that stall's Bak Kut Teh, he should have go in the morning, during their operating hours. This isn't being rigid, this is called "Don't want to do your business". And the Outram Park has already bend their rules to serve him, what more does he wants?

Anyway, the next day, the boss of the stall came out and say that he is not aware of it. His staff answered the call and made her own decision. He has since reprimanded her. He say that, even if they are to reject the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, they should say it in a more polite manner. She was being too rude in her manner.

And even more puzzling is that Hong Kong later issues a statement that the reason they went the Outram Park Bak Kut Teh is because it's nearer to his hotel and that he has eaten there before. Oh well, those politicians sure are troublesome.