Introduction

In a surprising turn of events, a Singaporean man ignited an online debate after sharing that his relatives are charging guests an “entrance fee” of $28 to visit during Christmas and Chinese New Year celebrations. His revelation on Reddit's 'Singapore Raw' forum left many users in disbelief, questioning whether this is a new custom in Singaporean culture.

The Incident

The man, who has hosted festive gatherings for years without any thought of charging guests, expressed his bewilderment at this new practice. “We believe that gatherings should be about socializing and building relationships, not making a profit,” he explained. “But my relatives seem to have a different mindset. Even if guests don't consume food, they still have to pay.”

Reactions from the Community

Describing the invitation as feeling more transactional than hospitable, he added, “It’s as if they’re saying, ‘We’re happy to host, but it’ll cost you $28 per person!’” Commentators on Reddit quickly jumped in, expressing their shock at this modern interpretation of hosting. One user remarked, “Is this some kind of elaborate joke? I’ve never heard of a cover charge for visiting someone’s home.” Another chimed in, stating, “It’s outrageous. If you have no money to host, just don’t host. When I visit, I might bring a gift or offer to help — but I never expect to pay!”

Some users found humor in the bizarre situation. “Do you get charged extra for using their toilet? What’s the fine print? This is just absurd!” joked one commenter, while another quipped, “If you’re a frequent visitor, you might as well purchase an annual pass!”

Speculations and Conclusions

Interestingly, a few users speculated that the relatives might be using this tactic to discourage unwanted visits altogether. “It seems like they want to avoid hosting but don’t know how to say no, so they came up with this fee to deter guests,” one user explained. “If people insist on coming over, at least the cost of catered food is covered.”

Broader Implications

In a twist of community dynamics, the post has ignited conversations beyond holiday visits. Just recently, another Reddit user shared her frustration as a bridesmaid, revealing that the newlywed couple not only took back all the wedding gift money given to them but also required the bridesmaids to cover the costs of their own dresses. “Despite being new to this, we did everything to ensure the wedding ran smoothly, only to have our efforts overlooked,” she lamented, recounting how they were made to double-check and even write names on gift packets — an embarrassing setback for the group.

Conclusion

As these incidents unfold, they prompt a larger discussion about the evolving norms of hospitality and communal celebrations in Singapore, reflecting changes in social dynamics in a modernizing society.