The labour crunch in Singapore has forced the two associations that represent coffee shops here to entertain

a radical move - to get patrons to serve themselves. The thinking is that this will reduce the need for the

traditional kopi kia - Hokkien for coffee boys - who take orders and serve the drinks to customers.

They are also known as "runners" in the coffee shop trade. The move was first brought up in an informal meeting

between the Foochow Coffee Restaurant and Bar Merchants Association and the Kheng

Keow Coffee Merchants Restaurant and Bar Owners Association earlier this month.