[newcomer]

Club mad

He had planned a night of revelry with friends at St James Power Station last Saturday, but when National University of Singapore student Matthew Rao flashed his identity card (IC) at the door of the popular nightclub, he was requested to pay the $20 cover charge.

His four friends - from England, Germany, France and Finland - filed in for free.

The reason: They were foreign students on exchange in Singapore, while he was local.

"I thought the IC was for age verification, but the bouncers said I had to pay because it was proof I was Singaporean," Mr Rao, 25, recalled. He was upset because the policy seemed unfair and discriminatory.

"Why should foreign students get different treatment? If they live here, why shouldn't they pay as well?" he added.

Ms Cheryl Khong, marketing manager at St James, confirmed its policy of giving foreign guests free entry any day of the week if they produce a valid foreign student pass. The little-publicised policy has existed since St James opened in 2006, but it only applies to Powerhouse, the nightspot's main dance room.

Ms Khong said the policy aimed to "encourage a cosmopolitan party atmosphere for our young partygoers" and added that St James regularly hosts parties thrown by local tertiary institutions and students.

Still, Mr Rao said that the incident has changed his mind about frequenting the club.

"I like rules that are fair and open. If the club can at least publicise those rules on the door, then I'll respect them."

Wed, Jun 04, 2008
my paper

[raysusan]

we are 2nd class citizen here..

[Casper26]

If this is let known to foreign students. i think they'll be flooding the club!

[louisangelatng]

Its not fair lo.. then should open free to local students too.

[GeneKoh]

Well, it's kinda expected... SIngaporeans are treated as 2nd class citizens in their own country...

[guantanamera]

errr maybe they wan foreign 2 club inside

[EmoLeoN]

we had been discriminated by foreigner in our own country.

[Marchao]

so unfair to singaporeans

[princessLUCK]

my point of view is if all local need not pay... the club would ended up losing cos the amt of local is so much more than those foreigners... beside the club is trying to have their own unique style... and it i sjust tat they choose to use foreigners to attract locals... it is just like ladies nite to attract guys... so it's ok 4 me...

[Shi Yuen]

its not fair to the locals.
like comeon. if they don't pay, we should as locals shouldn't pay.
or we could just boycott that club =D

[xRebornZ]

well foriegner are more rich than us mah.. cos currency better..

[IluvKittens]

actually why is everyone so hot and bothered? I mean clubs can implement their own rules and regulations right? If locals dont have to pay i daresay there wont be anymore clubs around for long.

Its just like how wednesdays are ladies nights, foreigners are a form of ''attraction''. See the similarity?

[dawgbyte]

Originally Posted by IluvKittens

actually why is everyone so hot and bothered? I mean clubs can implement their own rules and regulations right? If locals dont have to pay i daresay there wont be anymore clubs around for long.

Its just like how wednesdays are ladies nights, foreigners are a form of ''attraction''. See the similarity?

I agree... its not about fair. Don't assume privilege is equal to rights. It is a fact that there is a cover charge to go in, and the management decided to waive it to foreigners. Some clubs even have door bitches that will not let you in if she don't like your clothes or hair or the way you say "bitch". Another reason is that foreigners or tourist have more spending power and won't lick the same half empty glass for 8 hours inside the club.

[Huaikong]

dun go lor if not happy....

[yukio]

its just marketing glimmick.. if not happy then dont go? =/

[yukio]

VIP also can go in for free =x and can bring 2 friend to enter for free. my friend is a vip.. but i am not 18 yet LOL.

[uyen]

They did this to attract more Foreign students to study in Singapore.

[funnycow]

they are actually paying the same as us.

free entry for them, but they will have to buy their own drinks yea.

so, it's the same.

[raph]

haiz...bias peeps... argh

[qxnviolet]

Well, like some forumers suggested, its just a marketing strategy. Just like ladies night. Well, we don't hear many guys complain about ladies nights, do we? I didn't have to pay to enter the local town pubs when i was working in France, so i guess it a pretty common practice.