I REFER to the report, "Sorry Ziyi, we're closed" (The New Paper, 1 Oct).

I have mixed reactions.

To me, both parties could be in the wrong. Why did Zhang Ziyi want to visit the shop only when they were preparing to call it a day?

As for the shop, the problem may have been sticking - a bit too strictly - to the stated closing time.

Establishments like high-end jewellery shops would be right to close once they have puta way their valuable items.

But if it was a boutique without such security concerns, it may have been wrong to turn away such a high-profile customer.

We must also take into account the fact that many shops do stock-taking and tidying up after closing, and the staff would be able to get some rest only after that.

They may not be too keen to extend the hours for one customer, especially when they do not know whether she is going to buy something.

I think this is an isolated case and does not reflect on Singapore's service standards, though there is room for improvement there, no doubt about it.

Tan Shao Ken

This article was first published in The New Paper.