'No Lah, No Now, No CDC': Kovan drink stall owner explains quirky cash-only signage

A drink stall in Kovan, Nan Fang Ming Tea House, has gained attention online for its unique cash-only policy. The sign outside the stall reads "No Lah, No Now, No CDC" and "Only Mr Yusof Bin Ishak." While some netizens found the signage amusing, others expressed their unwillingness to patronize the stall due to the limited payment options.

The 85-year-old owner, Qiu Shi Ni, explained to a Shin Min Daily News reporter that many customers rarely noticed the sign. The elderly woman, who has run the shop for 42 years, said that customers occasionally scolded her when they realized they did not have cash for a drink or left after she began brewing coffee. Chiu stated that this issue occurred three to four times daily, forcing her to either discard the coffee or give it away.

Qiu, who is illiterate, asked her younger daughter to help write the sign. She hopes the sign will attract more attention from customers. The elderly woman does not use electronic payments and never attended school, relying on an old-fashioned mobile phone. Despite this, some customers continue to ask her about using electronic payments, leaving her feeling helpless.

Regular customers who enjoy the quality of the coffee prepare cash to purchase their drinks, according to Shin Min Daily News. One patron, Li, has been visiting the stall for over 10 years as he lives nearby. He primarily uses electronic payments but always carries some cash when visiting the stall. Li emphasized that other customers should be more understanding toward the elderly stall owner.