lets not say about the muslim stall
the old chinese uncle at the drinks stall did mention the other stall owners have retired. and then we were told by the instructors about the stalls being put up for tender but just that nobody wants to set up at smti canteen although the rental is cheap. i think on the uncle perspective, most probably he have children to support him financially, but running the canteen stall maybe to him is to keep him active for retiring years, or to pass time, have something to do etc.
the canteen is kinda miserable now with only the drinks stall and muslim stall operating for food. gone were the days where trainees get their canteen breaks, crowded queues in the canteen and also the barber open etc. its quiet there now with only a few people and birds flying everywhere to pick up scraps of food and bird **** on the chairs and table and birds finding food in the pails.