If you’ve a tendency to frequent Sim Lim Tower for its vast array of electrical components, you might be familiar with Uncle Ng, the wizened ice-cream seller who’s known by many as a “walking signboard” of the building.
Like many other Singaporeans, Uncle Ng’s business was cruelly disrupted upon the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic.
His ice-cream stall was deemed a non-essential service, and he was forced to take a break.
On 12 May, his manufacturer was allowed to resume production, which would mean the continuance of his ice-cream stall.
However, due to his age and vulnerability to the virus, Uncle Ng was advised by his boss to continue resting at home. And unwilling as he may be, he listened.
But days of rest can be unbearable, and that’s especially so for someone like Uncle Ng who has inculcated the spirit of working into his blood. And so, it was only a matter of time before the master returned to the field…
And on 22 May, he delivered.
Sim Lim Tower Ice-Cream Uncle Goes Back to Work As Cabin Fever is Unbearable
According to Lianhe Zaobao, the “walking signboard of Sim Lim Building” has returned to work on Friday (22 May 2020), much to the delight of many loyal customers.
His return comes after 45 whole days of absence from the field.
In an exclusive interview with Lianhe Zaobao, the 87-year-old professed being unable to stay at home anymore, as he had nothing to do besides viewing television programmes.
He accredited the “inability” to his work-laden lifestyle, which stemmed as far back as 1974.
“I’ve been working as a hawker since 1974, I’m used to this lifestyle and I don’t find it difficult,” Ng told the Chinese daily.
“Unless it’s raining, I don’t take rest days. This is the longest break I’ve taken in 46 years.”
According to Uncle Ng, even the SARS outbreak back in 2003 failed to put a dent in his work-happy lifestyle.
COVID-19, while otherwise unspectacular, has somehow managed to do the impossible in his 20-odd years of selling ice cream outside Sim Lim Tower.
Not that it’s a positive feat on the part of the Coronavirus in any way.
But The Comeback Was Not Without Its Cons
With the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic, the majority of Singaporeans have been confined to the four walls of their homes, leaving retail businesses struggling to make ends meet.
And though Uncle Ng’s return might have been received warmly, the same can’t exactly be said for his business, a notion no doubt owing to the situation the country’s in right now.
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According to the 87-year-old, he had expected business to be poor, but it actually turned out even worse than expected.
While he was able to sell seven blocks of ice cream per day, he’s now struggling to clear three blocks even after two whole days of work.
But Uncle Ng wasn’t fazed. Despite poor returns, he said that he was content.
As long as he had work to do, he was happy.
To readers who are in the vicinity, you can pay him a visit at his usual spot outside Sim Lim Tower when you’re out for your essential business. As for the others not quite living in the same area, you might have to wait a while to show your support for the “walking signboard of Sim Lim Tower”.
Though if there’s one thing for sure;
It’s that he’ll be there, shelling out ice-cream with deft hands, at the end of this dreary Circuit Breaker period.
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