In a curious incident at a Singapore bus interchange, a commuter took to an online forum to share his astonishment over a young girl selling ice cream for an eye-popping price of $15.90. The man recounted his encounter, stating that the girl approached him seeking help. She expressed exhaustion from selling ice cream all day and mentioned the urgency to clear her stock by 11 p.m., fearing reprimand from her boss.

Despite her earnest appeal, the commuter was taken aback by the exorbitant price tag, particularly for raspberry flavor, prompting him to question whether this was a case of entrepreneurship or something less legitimate.

The online reactions were mixed. While several commenters empathized with the young girl’s plight and defended her efforts, others pointed to the high price as a potential scam. One user voiced skepticism, stating, “It’s a scam and not entrepreneurship,” highlighting a common concern regarding the ethics of street-selling practices.

Contrarily, some forum members shared personal anecdotes, with one parent noting that their own daughter had been in a similar position. They clarified that young sellers often need to sell out their stock for daily pay and defended the pricing as fair considering the circumstances.

“Back in my days, my daughter used to sell ice cream too,” the commenter shared. “These children work hard; they're not scamming anyone. They need to clear their inventory by the end of their shift.”

Another user reminisced about her own experience selling ice cream as a teenager, describing it as a valuable lesson in salesmanship. “I think it’s great experience for them,” she said, though she admitted that as an adult, she would be hesitant to buy from such young sellers unless absolutely necessary.

Additionally, she revealed a common tactic among sellers to move remaining inventory: often, they would imply scarcity to encourage purchases, a smart albeit strategic move in sales.

Interestingly, many commenters pointed out that these young sellers often work on a commission basis, with no guaranteed hourly wage. The individuals selling ice cream can set their own prices after a portion is taken by their employer.

While skepticism remained among some, this event highlights a complex layer of youthful entrepreneurship and the challenges that come with it in Singapore's bustling urban landscape. It serves as a reminder of the entrepreneurial spirit many young individuals display, navigating the intricacies of sales while simultaneously learning valuable life lessons about resilience and hard work.