What stands out as the most distinctive human touch feature in a wet market? Apart from the friendly neighbourhood pleasantries, it is undoubtedly the practicality of getting free onions with your purchase or the straightforwardness of rounding down the total when paying.
If that is the case, then Lin Shuguo, a vendor who sells women's clothing at her stall in Bukit Batok West Market, stands out as an outlier. For 25 years, she has always insisted on fixed price for her goods. The only time she allowed a customer to bargain the price left her feeling bad for the whole day. Explaining her stance, she remarked, "If I were to discount a dollar for one customer, it would be unfair to all the others who have come to make purchases from me today."
Convinced of the importance of treating everyone equally and being fair and square in doing business, Lin Shuguo deliberately opted to maintain slim profit margins in her pricing strategy, "I'm not good at haggling; it's too much work. I've already set the price of the pants at the lowest possible, and I won't negotiate the price for anyone."
Refusing to compromise on price reductions, some items have remained in stock for extended periods, drawing complaints from her husband, who queried, "Can't you be a little more flexible?"
Does that make you think that Lin Shuguo is just being stubborn and lacks adaptability? If a customer insists on getting a discount, she would tactfully solve the problem by proposing, "How about I donate this dollar to a worthy cause on your behalf?"
She then shares the story of Tzu Chi's "Bamboo Bank Era", illustrating how even modest contributions can collectively achieve a significant impact. In this way, she earns her peace of mind and also the love of her customers.
(Photo by Goh Shoo Weng)
Lin Shuguo, aged 51, is not only a stall vendor but also an active Tzu Chi volunteer. Remarkably, she has successfully recruited over 300 donors for Tzu Chi at her modest clothing stall. Nearby residents, particularly older women, frequently visit her stall to make their donations and pass her their bamboo coin banks. Some of them even gradually became dedicated volunteers under Lin Shuguo's invitation.
With the gradual decline in the significance of wet markets, small neighbourhoods are not as bustling as shopping malls. However, the familiar cooking smoke and fires in such markets seem to carry an undertone of being more middle-aged friendly. Growing up in a rural village in Fujian Province, China, the human touch vibe of a wet market always gives Lin Shuguo a sense of vitality and closeness.
(Photo by Goh Shoo Weng)
The moon will wax full, and flowers will bloom. With simple words, she pointed out that there are still things worth looking forward to in life.
Since opening her stall at seven o'clock in the morning, she has enjoyed a steady stream of customers. Even familiar aunties would come from afar to greet her warmly. Her business philosophy of "no bargaining" has had no adverse effect on her business or her popularity.
To an auntie, what could be better than a "fashion guide" who can call you by name, remember your measurements, and always have the perfect attire for you? What's more, whether you are buying clothes or not, there is always a pair of listening ears available to lend, allowing you to let down your guard and chat about the things happening in your life.
Once, Lin Shuguo spotted a familiar but weary-looking customer from a distance, and she waved to her. When the aunty came to her, she instantly burst into tears and said, "My son is gone. I don't want to live anymore..."
Lin Shuguo wholeheartedly embraced the customer's grief and tears, offering her a companionship that lasted for five years. She gently reminded the aunty, "You are blessed to have two thoughtful children. The other child is also filial, but you kept focusing on your son, who has passed away."
The aunty understood the consolation of "cherishing the person before you" and would temporarily stay in her other child's home.
Lin Shuguo also made a promise to the aunty and said, "Master Cheng Yen teaches us that if we smile with an open heart, blessings will come. Would you like to give it a try? Visit me again next time. I will wait from afar to see happiness and hope on your face again!"
The moon will wax full, and flowers will bloom. With simple words, she pointed out that there are still things worth looking forward to in life.
(Photo by Goh Shoo Weng)
People become family because of karmic affinity. There are good and bad karmic affinities. Good affinities can be created, and bad affinities can be dissolved. In front of Lin Shuguo's stall, a couple once shared their distress about their daughter's severe bipolar disorder, which often led to her becoming physically aggressive. Seeking guidance from Dharma, they asked Lin Shuguo what could be done to address the situation.
"Send good thoughts every day and bless your daughter every day," advised Lin Shuguo and she gave them a bamboo coin bank to encourage them to shift their perspective and thoughts from negative to positive.
"Don't anticipate immediate positive change in your child just because you donate 50 cents to the coin bank. When the karmic affinity is right, she will naturally change. We shall send her positive thoughts to bless her every day."
Two to three years later, the customer returned and said, "My daughter has been very kind to me lately. What should I do?"
Lin Shuguo responded, "It's wonderful that your daughter is treating you well. Why are you afraid? Take it well!"
After some time, the same customer revisited Lin Shuguo and said, "My daughter is now in a nursing home."
She replied, "Stay strong and continue to bless your daughter every day."
(Photo by Goh Shoo Weng)
Lin Shuguo always introduces Jing Si products before presenting the clothes available in her stall. What's remarkable is that customers readily accept her recommendations without hesitation.
For 25 years, on most days, Lin Shuguo has witnessed people coming and going, rushing about, living ordinary and genuine lives. They appear to pass through each other's lives, but she carries within her a mental notebook, recording the ups and downs of her customers with every stroke of a pen. With this tiny stall, she believes she can offer more than just clothes to the people in her neighbourhood.
If you happen to pass by Bukit Batok West Market, you will likely recognize Lim Shuguo's stall right away. The most conspicuous feature of the stall is the neatly arranged Jing Si products, such as multi-grain powder, Jing Si instant rice, turmeric enzyme, and vegetarian cooking powder, among others. The clothes are spread out next to the Jing Si products, lined up at the back, and hung above like starry nights. Lin Shuguo always introduces Jing Si products before presenting the clothes available in her stall. What's remarkable is that customers readily accept her recommendations without hesitation.
"All of these products are made by the Dharma Masters of Jing Si Abode in Taiwan using natural farming, which is good for our health and the earth."
Lin Shuguo visited the production line of the Jing Si Abode before and even joined the volunteers in the fields to collect corns and pack rice packets in the factory. She informs customers that these products are dispatched to the front lines for disaster relief, while some are sold to the general public and are widely recognized by many.
As a leader of the Jing Si Humanistic Culture, Lin Shuguo said that selling Jing Si products at her stall is "the most comfortable, convenient, and approachable way to connect with her customers”.
(Photo by Goh Shoo Weng)
As a young girl, she often pondered, "Does it truly make a difference?" It was only through life's experiences that she came to realise her innermost desire.
Besides sharing cooking methods and the proper usage of products, Lin Shuguo and the Jing Si Humanistic team have been brainstorming ways to let more people sample the taste and texture of the products rather than just imagining them from the descriptions on the packaging. Consequently, once a month, when the rest of the stalls are closed, the team collaborates to store away the clothes and showcase a variety of Jing Si products, along with delicious pastries made from these products, for the public to sample and purchase.
"Every time I set up the stall to sell Jing Si products, I would forge a lot of good affinities. Each occasion brings me such immense joy that I can't help but smile from the depths of my heart."
It would be dishonest to claim that these endeavours aren't tiring; however, the energy and enthusiasm behind them bring them happiness. For the Mid-Autumn Festival in 2023, the team even challenged themselves to make Jing Si baked mooncakes. These mooncakes featured flavours such as five kernels, black sesame, and red bean, using ingredients from our classic grain powder series. Handmade by the team, they aimed to reverse the established impression that Jing Si grain powders can only be taken for breakfast, creating mooncakes that gave people a pleasant surprise in every bite.
"What is this made of?" A question like this from the customer is the way Lin Shuguo looks forward to opening her conversation. She has numerous compelling stories about the Jing Si Abode's family tradition of "no work, no meal”, but in the end it all boils down to this, "If consuming it brings you good health, then do more good deeds with your healthy body."
Be it her clothing business or Tzu Chi voluntary work, Lin Shuguo’s original aspiration is always to benefit the other party and create blessings for others.
When selling clothes, Lin Shuguo would warmly greet her customers with, "Come quickly, this is your pair of beautiful pants!"
When inviting regular customers to participate in Tzu Chi's activities, she half-jokingly remarks, "I'm telling you, I'm introducing you to something good. Make sure to come, or I'll give you a smack!"
She spent her childhood in her hometown in Fujian, China. In front of her home, there stood a Guanyin temple, where people often prayed for the well-being of their loved ones who had ventured away to make a living. As a young girl, she often pondered, "Does it truly make a difference?" It was only through life's experiences that she came to realise her innermost desire: to practise the right faith and right thoughts to guide herself and others along the way.
Markets come with their own social dynamics. People come and go, forming connections that may be fleeting or enduring. Lin Shuguo sees the marketplace as a place of personal growth, where the individuals before her are meant to cross her path. She nurtures these positive connections into long-term relationships through daily interactions. Without deliberation, she refrains from interrupting, prying into gossip, or using hurtful words. As a small stall vendor, she carries a soft, nurturing presence, silently enriching the lives of those in the market.
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