...taxi drivers meet regularly at coffee shops to yak, yak, yak......

Gambling and Lotteries! 4D, Toto, Big Sweep, Horse Races, Share Markets, Football betting, two new very attractive Casinos, not mentioning the many hidden illegal gambling dens, my, my, my, what a huge 'conglomerate' of multi-national enterprises. With this booming market of get rich quick outlets, you tell me, how can we even imagine that there will be no citizens' gambling problems at all? 
I mean, with the carefully worded and yet encouraging phrase "Please Gamble Wisely" announced in the media and in all outlets makes us think like, "Well, its okay to play what, only we must be more careful, study harder, do our homework, etc, etc, you never know, we may strike it rich one day, right?". 
We are Singaporeans, most of us belong to the same "kiasu" community and who does not want to be rich? 
Oh yes, last night the huge Five million dollar 'jackpot' Toto draw, must see the results, I bought $10.00 normal 'quick-pick' tickets, so, if you will excuse me, I need to check it out.......who knows.?.........

a woman full of "zest"

While cruising along Hougang Ave 8, at about 10pm, I picked up this elderly woman in her 70's near Street 61. "Hello" and she nodded her head as she got into my cab, seated herself, then shut the door very slowly and asked me to send her to Jurong East Street 13 in Hokkien.

"Ho" I replied also in Hokkien (meaning yes or ok) and started driving. I asked if she was going home and she said "Si-ah" (yes). Its so late, I exclaimed, and she told me that she had been playing 'mahjong' with her friends since 1.00pm that afternoon. I asked if she won some money and she said "Boh lah, tah pai su" (No lah, always lose) like today she lost nearly $400/- dollars, and from then on, she kept talking non-stop all the way without me having to ask her further questions. She sat up and spoke very steadily, about her adventures on board casino ships, Genting Highlands casino and also in gambling dens, other than that, her friends would always invite her for 'mahjong' sessions in their homes. She told me that she is very lucky to have very filial and good children, all 6 of them married, (3 boys and 3 girls), and all of them earn very high salaries. Every month, her children would give her so much money, thousands of dollars, and allowed her to do whatever she likes to do as she pleases. She says she is still fit and strong, and lucky not to have old age illnesses, so just carry on and enjoy what she likes to do, gambling.

"Aiyoh" and heaved a big sigh, only one regret, I don't know how to save money, how to? I am simply addicted to all kinds of gambling. I always lie to my children that I usually go visit my friends for tea, for chit chats or go for short sightseeing trips, but I think they know I try to hide what I do. Still, my children don't question me, but tell me to take care and go ahead enjoy myself.

I told her that she is indeed very lucky and truly blessed to have good children and can lead such a lifestyle and how I wish I can be in her shoes. She smiled and said, "My lah, my lah, boh ho lah, mm tung teh!" (Don't, don't follow, no good) and we both started laughing away as we arrived at her destination. She gave me $20/- "SSHHhh...Gia lah, gia lah!" (Take, take!) as she started to alight.

I said "Kum siah, kum siah, sio sim, sio sim!" (thank you, thank you and careful, careful!)

We waved and I made sure she walked safely to her lift landing before I drove off. Wow!! what a spritely and energetic woman she is, as I drove off, still thinking of what she told me........... I think the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

Racegoer's dilemma

I drove towards Kranji Turf Club after dropping a passenger at Woodlands Ave 1. It was near 11pm and this guy at the Kranji Taxi stand boarded my cab. 
"Uncle, Bedok North Street 3" 
"Ok" and I headed straight towards BKE and then on to the PIE. Along the way, he told me that he is now definitely in big trouble as he had lost nearly all his month's salary at the races just now, which came up to nearly $1,000/- He mentioned a lot of IF he had played this or that race he would have made a lot of money instead, but alas listening to 'Hot Tips' from his friends also at the Club blew his money away when all the horses ran nowhere. 
I sympathised with him and added that he should have brought only money he can afford to lose and just enjoy watching the races and placing small bets. 
"Aiyah, I needed extra money so, with at least a bit of capital I can then venture for bigger stakes, mistake, mistake, now headache! got to give the wife at least $1,000/- to manage the household every month, with 3 children and all, now how man?" 
He had to cook up some lies to tell his wife and need to try to start borrowing money from friends tomorrow. He was a total wreck and could not sit still. I cannot assist him in other ways except to give him a bit of  consolation and some practical advice especially to try not to gamble in future but look after his family which is more important. 
"What is done cannot be undone, so what you got to do now is to tell the truth to your wife, plead for forgiveness and promise never to indulge in any sort of gambling activities from now on. Be sincere and truthful and maybe you will be given a second chance." 
Reached his destination, paid his fare, and thanked me for listening to his problems. 
"Don't worry too much and take care, good night." 
This kind of passengers in such situations are quite common in my line of work, so friends, if you're heading in the wrong direction, always remember you are allowed a U-turn......