http://www.soshiok.com/articles/12255
Hard times for the beer lady
Wed Apr 01 2009
Kenny Chee
my paper .Beer ladies at neighbourhood coffeeshops seem to have more free time as drinkers cut back on their nightly alcohol binge.
Singapore, April 1, 2009 - BEER ladies at neighbourhood coffee shops seem to have more free time these days as drinkers cut back on their nightly alcohol binge.
Coffee-shop operators told my paper that fewer are turning up for beer, even as business for tea and coffee remains largely unaffected.
“People still drink coffee and tea every day as a part of their lifestyle. It’s cheap as well,” said Mr Wee Jee Seng, executive secretary of the Kheng Keow Coffee Merchants Restaurant and Bar-Owners Association.
Still, beer ladies, like the one from an Upper Serangoon coffee shop who gave her name only as Ms Yew, are confident that they would not be out of a job just yet.
“Customers complain about the tough times but the regulars still order their beer,” she said.
The Foochow Coffee Restaurant and Bar Merchants Association said that due largely to a drop in beer consumption, the association’s coffee shops have generally seen a 10 to 20 per cent fall in business in the first two months of this year, compared to the same period last year.
Mr Hong Poh Hin, the first vice-chairman of the association, said customers now order, for example, “two or three” bottles when, in the past, they would order up to six.
Industry players told my paper that beer orders from coffee shops had dropped by as much as 10 per cent this quarter, compared to the last quarter.
But that does not mean drinkers have stopped altogether.
Money changer Tan Chee Wee, 36, still drinks more at pubs than coffee shops, even though it can be pricier. “My friends prefer pubs as they have air-conditioning, as well as better service and atmosphere,” said Mr Tan.
Hard times for the beer lady
Wed Apr 01 2009
Kenny Chee
my paper .Beer ladies at neighbourhood coffeeshops seem to have more free time as drinkers cut back on their nightly alcohol binge.
Singapore, April 1, 2009 - BEER ladies at neighbourhood coffee shops seem to have more free time these days as drinkers cut back on their nightly alcohol binge.
Coffee-shop operators told my paper that fewer are turning up for beer, even as business for tea and coffee remains largely unaffected.
“People still drink coffee and tea every day as a part of their lifestyle. It’s cheap as well,” said Mr Wee Jee Seng, executive secretary of the Kheng Keow Coffee Merchants Restaurant and Bar-Owners Association.
Still, beer ladies, like the one from an Upper Serangoon coffee shop who gave her name only as Ms Yew, are confident that they would not be out of a job just yet.
“Customers complain about the tough times but the regulars still order their beer,” she said.
The Foochow Coffee Restaurant and Bar Merchants Association said that due largely to a drop in beer consumption, the association’s coffee shops have generally seen a 10 to 20 per cent fall in business in the first two months of this year, compared to the same period last year.
Mr Hong Poh Hin, the first vice-chairman of the association, said customers now order, for example, “two or three” bottles when, in the past, they would order up to six.
Industry players told my paper that beer orders from coffee shops had dropped by as much as 10 per cent this quarter, compared to the last quarter.
But that does not mean drinkers have stopped altogether.
Money changer Tan Chee Wee, 36, still drinks more at pubs than coffee shops, even though it can be pricier. “My friends prefer pubs as they have air-conditioning, as well as better service and atmosphere,” said Mr Tan.
dun shy lah mr tan
