Award Banner
Award Banner

Foreigner hands fishmonger photo of latter to remember 'good memories' before Bukit Timah market closure

Foreigner hands fishmonger photo of latter to remember 'good memories' before Bukit Timah market closure
PHOTO: Screengrabs/TikTok/Georgecoates_

Bukit Timah Market & Food Centre has become a regular hunting ground for Englishman George Coates.

He has been living near the market for the past two years and would visit multiple times a week to eat at the hawker centre.

This time around, the 27-year-old was not at the market for food or groceries.

With Bukit Timah Market & Food Centre set to be demolished in the later part of 2024, George initially wanted to head to the market to snap photos for him and his girlfriend.

Speaking with AsiaOne, he added: "I wanted to give the stall owners the photos for memories, but also to show them they are seen and their hard work is appreciated."

Last Saturday (June 29), George uploaded a TikTok clip, on his account Georgecoates_, of his heartwarming interaction with a fishmonger from the market.

Watch on TikTok

The duo conversed in English but after finding out that the fishmonger wasn't fluent in the language, George transitioned smoothly to Mandarin.

He told AsiaOne that his family moved to Singapore when he was 2 and he began learning Mandarin at 12.

"I wanted to give you this. Hope you can have some good memories," George said to the fishmonger in Mandarin.

It was a lovely shot of the fishmonger at the stall interacting with a customer.

Seeing the picture brought a smile to his face. He certainly wasn't expecting it, saying: "I didn't know you were so good at taking pictures."

Another voice off-camera asked about George's origins.

After forming a connection with him, the fishmonger and his companion were now invested in finding out more about George.

Their topic of conversation even deviated to finding out about his marital status.

In the comments section, netizens were impressed by his command of the language and his kindness.

"This is so cute and your Mandarin is so good!" one TikTok user said.

PHOTOS: Screengrabs/TikTok/Georgecoates_

Apart from the fishmonger, there were other stall owners from the market whom George took pictures of.

He shared their reactions to receiving the photos on TikTok, and George was mostly greeted with smiles and thank yous.

ALSO READ: 'I love her smile': SIA passenger makes air stewardess' day by drawing a sketch of her

amierul@asiaone.com

No part of this story or photos can be reproduced without permission from AsiaOne.

For more original AsiaOne articles, visit here.

homepage

trending

trending
    Acclaimed chef Damian D'Silva to helm 2 restaurants at National Gallery Singapore
    'If you see someone in distress please don't shun them': Motorcyclist offers ride to woman walking in middle of PIE slip road
    'Rest in peace, girl': Bouquets seen at the scene of River Valley fire where 10-year-old died
    'Without daddy, nothing would be tidy': David Beckham 'annoys' wife Victoria and kids by being organised
    'Workout buddies': Toddler warms hearts by copying older man doing morning exercises daily
    Hello, Sunny! Simonboy announces birth of son, shares scary moment where 'we lost his heartbeat'
    'We miss cai fan': Why Edwin Goh and Rachel Wan are returning to Singapore after 2 years in Australia
    Gossip mill: Tanya Chua and Jane Zhang busk at Clarke Quay, top 10 Korean actors among overseas fans revealed, Ryoko Hirosue arrested for alleged assault
    GE2025: Why this 32-year-old is setting up a political party to contest East Coast GRC
    In stunning U-turn, Trump walks back some tariffs, triggering historic market rally
    This made my day: Free assessment books and exam papers placed outside West Coast home win praise
    No permission to hold meeting: Chee Soon Juan's allegation of double standards not true, says Sembawang Town Council

Singapore

Singapore
    • 10-year-old girl dies, 21 others injured as River Valley fire sees construction workers mount rescue
    • Man pleads guilty to taking upskirt photos at Paya Lebar MRT station, injuring victim while fleeing
    • This made my day: Bus captain driving along TPE slip road praised for stepping in to help boy walking alone
    • PM Wong on US tariffs: Growth will be impacted, leading to fewer opportunities and smaller wage increases
    • Concrete slabs fall off trailer, causing traffic jam along Upper Bukit Timah Road
    • Calvin Cheng's comments regarding Gaza 'unacceptable and hurtful' to Malay/Muslim community: Masagos
    • River Valley fire: 4 migrant workers awarded for saving kids
    • MaNaDr must ensure regulatory compliance regardless of its corporate structure: MOH
    • No intention of 'downplaying tariffs': PSP's Leong Mun Wai calls for new trade deal with US
    • Israeli soldiers deserve 'universal condemnation' for killing emergency workers: Shanmugam

Entertainment

Entertainment
    • Soundtrack of my life: Stefanie Sun's comeback concert a healing experience for this fan of 12 years
    • 'I was brought back from the brink of death': Taiwanese singer Tank successfully receives heart and liver transplant
    • NewJeans changes social media handles and deletes posts after court ruling
    • 'My brain got so fried up': Gurmit Singh hit by anxiety attack while acting in his 1st Chinese drama
    • Anjelica Huston 'in the clear' following private cancer battle
    • 'The world is still beautiful': Huang Biren arranges tingkat meal delivery for Carole Lin after latter suffered another injury
    • Maroon 5 returning with new album and tour
    • Trump's global import tariffs could lead to China banning showings of US movies

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
    • 140 coffeeshops in Singapore offering SG60 promotions and discounts, here's what to expect
    • Sides, viral fried chicken chain by UK YouTubers Sidemen, to open at Bugis+
    • The rise of Chinese F&B brands in Singapore: What stirs Singaporeans' appetites?
    • AI and art: Studio Ghibli-inspired trend sparks debate on ethics and consent
    • Canada's 1970s superhero Captain Canuck has resurgence thanks to Trump
    • COE premiums rise again in first bidding for April 2025
    • Thrill or chill: Enjoy more for less at Resorts World Genting
    • New platform for a new era: Audi A5 Sedan now available in Singapore
    • A bright minimalist condo apartment with a loft
    • The truth about integrated developments in Singapore: 5 homeowners share their living experience

Digicult

Digicult
    • A $500 wake-up call: How the Samsung Galaxy Ring made me realise my stress
    • Monster Hunter Wilds producer explains how game has remained unique and fresh over 20 years
    • Western intelligence agencies warn spyware threat targeting Taiwan, Tibetan rights advocates
    • Taiwan says China using generative AI to ramp up disinformation and 'divide' the island
    • Russian court fines Telegram app for refusal to remove anti-government content, TASS reports
    • One Beijing man's quest to keep cooking — and connecting with Americans — on camera
    • Nintendo Switch 2 to launch in June with US$449.99 price tag
    • Games in April: RPGs, racing and Ronaldo in a fighting game
    • Is it time to get a MacBook at a good price? The M4 MacBook Air says yes
    • China's Baidu launches 2 new AI models as industry competition heats up

Money

Money
    • Giant deal: Malaysian company to acquire Cold Storage and Giant supermarket chains in Singapore
    • Bill Gates' kids will inherit less than 1% of his fortune to prevent a 'family dynasty'
    • China hits back at Trump tariff hike, raises duties on US goods
    • Trump's tariffs kick in, deepening trade war and market rout
    • Punggol HDB flat sold for $850k marks all-time high for executive flats in the area
    • Stocks slide again as US forges ahead with 104% tariffs on China
    • China not backing down as fresh US tariff threat pushes tensions to the brink
    • Nearly 50 countries want tariff deals, Trump trade chief Greer says
    • Trump threatens to hike China tariffs further as market plunge continues
    • Govt's response to US tariffs 'partly to instil fear': PSP chairman Tan Cheng Bock

Latest

Latest
  • Death toll nears 200 in Dominican Republic nightclub tragedy
  • 6 weeks since Israel imposed total Gaza blockade, last food is running out
  • Rebels in Papua say they killed 17 people this week
  • Queen Camilla celebrates anniversary with Italian pizza and ice cream
  • Belgium says it dismantles Chinese prostitution ring
  • In Myanmar, internet shutdowns hinder earthquake aid response
  • French presidential hopeful sparks outcry with idea to deport migrants to remote island
  • US to screen social media of immigrants, rights advocates raise concerns
  • Trump signs orders targeting two ex-officials who criticised him

In Case You Missed It

In Case You Missed It
  • Ex-MP Lee Bee Wah introduces former MDDI director Goh Hanyan as potential candidate to Nee Soon residents
  • Robert Ng, son of late billionaire Ng Teng Fong, and 3 children to be designated as 'politically significant persons'
  • 'She should be with her family': Employer gives maid plane ticket, $800 to return to Myanmar and search for missing mum
  • 'He needed something to help him fight,' says man who bought Hokkien mee for dying patient
  • Thai woman struggles to evacuate during earthquake while her dog sleeps unfazed
  • Workers painting exterior of Geylang block discover man's skeletal remains in flat
  • 'New, younger' PAP team vows to reclaim WP-controlled Sengkang GRC, says Lam Pin Min
  • New face Jackson Lam 'very good on the ground' and will be asset to Parliament, says Shanmugam
  • Woman who publicised tips on how she evaded GST for luxury purchases fined $18k
This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.