I brought a basket full of items to the cashier, Ms Teoh Lay Lian, for her to key in the price on her cash register. I was not aware that a piece of yam needed to be weighed first, before the price could be entered into the machine.

There was no one behind me in the queue. Instead of asking me to go and get the piece of yam weighed, Ms Teoh went the extra mile by volunteering to do the task on my behalf while I waited at the counter.

Here was a sterling example of a very helpful cashier who used her brains and initiative and knew when to be flexible to provide customers with excellent service. Instead of asking me to go to the weighing counter to have my item weighed and price-tagged, she willingly walked to the counter to weigh my single item.

NTUC FairPrice should be complimented for its acumen in employing Ms Teoh who knew the importance of good customer service in retaining existing customers and attracting new ones.

May I suggest that NTUC FairPrice recognise the efforts of Ms Teoh and other good staff by awarding them certificates of commendation together with vouchers at year end, so that they can use them to exchange for food items at any of its outlets.

Perhaps, it should also consider providing a weighing machine at each cashier's counter which may come in handy when a customer has forgotten to weigh his piece of yam or tapioca.

Nelson Quah