foodpanda S’pore to match tips dollar for dollar from Apr. 14 to 16 this Ramadan

A random stranger stops you and pushes a microphone into your face. 

Do you want S$5 or will you double it for the next person?

TikTok and social media have gone head-over-heels for the “Double it and pass it on” craze, where a host approaches passers-by and offers them a sum of money, S$1, S$10, even S$1,000. 

The passers-by will often choose to forgo personal gain, gifting a random stranger in the future twice the amount of money. 

It’s a nice, almost wholesome way of showing a community’s willingness to pay things forward. 

Although I will say that my favorite version of this was when a man offered two young children a sum of S$2,000, an unimaginable fortune for kids who look no older than 12. 

The first child immediately snaps his hand out, but his friend stops him. 

“No, we can’t do that,” he chides.

“I want him to go broke.” 

Absolutely heartwarming. 

Tipping for a rainy day

But you know what’s better than randomly making someone’s day? 

Intentionally making someone’s day, and then doubling it.

foodpanda Singapore is offering to double any of your tips to their pandariders for the weekend of April 14 to 16, the last weekend of Ramadan (this is only for tips made on foodpanda’s app or website). 

It can be easy to understate how impactful even a small tip can be. 

Ariffin became a pandarider to help support his mother after she was unable to work as a preschool teacher during the pandemic. 

He gave the example that if a rider were to earn S$10 on a delivery, a S$5 tip would increase their earnings on that trip by 50 per cent. 

Over the course of a week, the accumulation of tips could lead to quite a substantial difference to their income. 

This in turn, Ariffin shared, would enable him to provide things like better quality food, or contribute to paying off bills and rent. 

Not to mention the morale and motivation boost it provides to riders. 

Xiao Wei, a pandarider for several years, shared how every little tip helps keep him going, whether it’s an iced coffee to help him on the really hot days, or when it helps pay for his meals.

“Sincerely the utmost thanks to customers, for letting us feel appreciated especially on hot days or heavy rain to deliver your food to you.”

Charlotte certainly remembers her first tip, the S$22 that she received on her second day of being a pandarider.

She arrived at the customer’s door, drenched from the rain, and the customer surprised her by paying and telling her to keep the change, gifting her three deliveries worth of earnings in one moment.

But even the small tips help, or even non-monetary gestures like a bottle of water to show appreciation for a job done.

As pandarider Fadzil put it:

“Tips are always well-received and always motivates me to do better as a pandarider. While the tips do not have to be a lot, I strongly believe that a little goes a long way.”

And on the weekend of April 14 to 16, it’ll go twice as far as foodpanda will match rider tips from consumers dollar for dollar when made via its app or website. Tips can be included in the checkout page. 

And rest assured, the entire double tip amount will go to the rider.

A flexible option for extra cash

pandariders also shared why they decided to become riders with foodpanda.

Many highlighted the flexible scheduling they could take advantage of, being able to fit work around studies, or spending time with young children or elderly parents, and tending to the needs of their families.

Another pandarider, Charles said:

“When I had a full time job, I had to seek approval to apply for leave whenever there was an issue in my family, but now I can command my own timing to accommodate not only my own family but also to my parents and in-laws. “

That flexibility is vital when it comes to helping take care of his four-year-old daughter who often falls sick.

Such flexibility has allowed some riders, such as Jimmy, who describes himself as an avid hiker and birdwatcher, to pursue his goals of being a writer, editor, photographer, and videographer.

But with the income of being a pandarider, he can continue to support his family when work in those fields is less stable.

It has even allowed some to continue working despite serious illness.

pandarider Jolene’s father is suffering from a serious illness, but his doctor has advised him to exercise more.

Jolene is helping her dad take up being a pandarider, guiding him through the process while helping him exercise more, and earn some money while doing so. 

If you’re thinking of becoming a pandarider, riders' median hourly earnings are between S$12 to S$18.

And there are a slew of benefits and perks too, such as free bicycle rental, rider discounts from over 40 shops on items such as vehicle maintenance and Sim cards, as well as bonus incentives such as surge fees and even a Bamboo Rewards system for riders to claim prizes such as vouchers and pandarider merchandise.

pandariders will even be enrolled in pandapro, foodpanda’s monthly subscription programme, for free as well. 

Also, foodpanda provides coverage for pandariders while they’re on shift.

All pandariders are covered in the event of personal accidents, such as accidental medical expenses of up to S$1,000, and permanent disability coverage of up to S$70,000, to name a few.  

Walkers, cyclists and pandariders using power-assisted bicycles and personal mobility aids also have third-party liability should incidents such as accidentally damaging public property or a car etc., of up to S$1,000,000.

So if you’re interested in becoming a pandarider, click on this link to find out more. 

Making their day

This Ramadan period, foodpanda is doing a little extra to brighten the day of pandariders.

foodpanda will be distributing snacks and drinks from five pandamart stores between 6.30pm and 8pm until April 21, as well as at their central and west rider hubs during operating hours. 

McDonalds outlets will also be distributing free milo packets for pandariders between 6 and 8 pm.

In the runup to Hari Raya, consider a small gesture of kindness for the pandariders working through blazing sun and pouring rain.

Every little bit helps, whether it's a cool drink or some extra cash. But if you tip using the foodpanda app between April 14 and 16, it’ll help double! 

Top image via foodpanda

This sponsored article by foodpanda makes this writer feel like putting some drinks in the fridge for delivery peeps.