Car driver uses his elderly mother to ‘chope’ carpark space at AMK Hub

SINGAPORE — An irate netizen took to social media to express frustration after witnessing an elderly woman reserving a car parking space at AMK Hub shopping mall.

“The car park is not even full. Please advise your elderly mother not to chope the car park like this. It’s dangerous to herself,” wrote Facebook user Ms. Choi YW on the COMPLAINT SINGAPORE page on Sunday (Feb 5).

The Independent Singapore has reached out to Ms. Choi, the witness, for further comments regarding the incident.

The act of “chope-ing” is a uniquely Singaporean practice, where people reserve spaces, mostly for seats or tables at hawker centers or eateries, using items such as tissues. In more controversial instances, individuals have been seen standing in parking spots to reserve them for incoming cars, a practice that often irritates other drivers.

Netizens were quick to respond to the post, with many expressing disapproval. One commenter pointed out, “Chop tables, chop parking, end up quarrel in public places, alamak so paiseh (embarrassing) leh.”

Another quipped, “Used to ask wife/gf.. now ask mother. Waiting for the first grandmother to do the act now…”

Some called the act “shameful” and “inconsiderate,” while another frustrated user remarked, “Is this a human parking lot or a car parking lot?”

Another comment read, “I told a lot of people. It is a car park, not a human park,” highlighting the absurdity of the situation.

This isn’t the first time parking spot reservations using people have sparked public outrage. Last year, a woman garnered attention for blocking a parking spot by standing in it while talking on the phone, telling drivers that a car was on its way. A video of the incident, shared widely on social media, also drew significant criticism.

Netizens continue to condemn such actions, emphasizing the need for more considerate and safer behavior in public spaces.