Singapore Envoy Finds His 'Rs 169 With Tax' Chai 'Tasteless', This Is What Chaayos Founder Says As Post Goes Viral
Trending: Singapore's High Commissioner to India, Simon Wong, expressed disappointment with a tasteless and overpriced cup of tea he had in a Gurugram outlet. His social media post went viral.
Singapore High Commissioner to India Simon Wong just had an "impossible" tea experience in Gurugram. Looking for "best chai" in a locality he was visiting for work, his Google Search had led him to a nearby outlet where he found his cup of tea "tasteless". Sharing his experience on social media, HC Wong also noted the seemingly high price of the 'kulhad' tea he had — "Rs 169 with tax".
"The impossible happened. I just had a cup of tasteless #Chai in Gurgaon. Rs 169 with tax," Simon Wong posted on X (formerly Twitter) from the Singapore In India handle on Saturday afternoon, along with two man-facepalming emojis and two images from the tea chain outlet.
The impossible happened. I just had a cup of tasteless #Chai in Gurgaon. Rs 169 with tax.🤦♂️🤦♂️HC Wong. pic.twitter.com/PMVwnvUS2y
— Singapore in India (@SGinIndia) December 14, 2024
Though he did not name the outlet, one of the images he shared with his post gave it away that it was a Chaayos joint. His post soon became viral, with users commenting on his experience, sharing their own, and also suggesting "better" options for a tea experience. He was also flooded with tea invitations, and the post did not go unnoticed by Chaayos founder Nitin Saluja either.
Taking to the comments section, Nitin wrote: "Hon’ble Mr Wong, I am Nitin, founder of Chaayos! In the name of deep India SG friendship, I invite you for a cup of Chai at a Chaayos near you! And as we enjoy our chai, i will share our commitment to get every chai right, including our no questions asked chai replacement policy!"
Hon’ble Mr Wong, I am Nitin, founder of Chaayos! In the name of deep India SG friendship, I invite you for a cup of Chai at a Chaayos near you! And as we enjoy our chai, i will share our commitment to get every chai right, including our no questions asked chai replacement policy!
— Nitin Saluja (@Salujanitin) December 14, 2024
HC Wong thanked Nitin, and said he did not intend to criticise Chaayos. "Dear Mr @Salujanitin, It is very gracious of you. I was in sector 59 looking at factory land. I googled best chai near me and found the shop. No shade intended.🙏🙏so much."
Dear Mr @Salujanitin, It is very gracious of you. I was in sector 59 looking at factory land. I googled best chai near me and found the shop. No shade intended.🙏🙏so much. HC Wong
— Singapore in India (@SGinIndia) December 14, 2024
Responding to this, Nitin said Google was "right" to suggest that Chaayos as the "Best Chai" place, though he accepted there might have been a "mess-up" on Saturday. "Hon’ble Mr Wong, google is right. we are the best chai near you! however, looks like we messed up with your chai today! the weather calls for multiple chais a day, so i certainly look forward to having a chai together, so that you can conclude the same about our chai."
Hon’ble Mr Wong, google is right. we are the best chai near you! however, looks like we messed up with your chai today! the weather calls for multiple chais a day, so i certainly look forward to having a chai together, so that you can conclude the same about our chai 💚
— Nitin Saluja (@Salujanitin) December 14, 2024
HC Simon Wong acknowledged that he was "overwhelmed" by the flood of tea invitations he received from the people of India, and thanked them for that. "The true beauty of India lies in her people. I am overwhelmed by the torrent of invitations to have a cup of the best homemade #chai. I humbly thank you all. 🙏🙏HC Wong," wrote Wong.
The true beauty of India lies in her people. I am overwhelmed by the torrent of invitations to have a cup of the best homemade #chai. I humbly thank you all. 🙏🙏HC Wong
— Singapore in India (@SGinIndia) December 14, 2024