French Student Fined in Singapore for Viral Straw‑Licking Stunt

 A 19‑year‑old French student, Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, was fined S$600 (about US$465) after he licked a straw from an orange‑juice vending machine and placed it back into the dispenser. The prank, filmed and posted on Instagram, quickly spread across social media, drawing widespread criticism for its disrespect toward public property.

 Maximilien pleaded guilty to a single charge of public nuisance. Singapore courts may impose a fine up to S$2,000, up to three months in jail, or both, but only the fine was enforced in this case. The prosecution and defence both agreed on a monetary penalty.

 The victim of the incident is the operator of the iJooz vending machines, which dispense freshly squeezed orange juice for S$2 per cup. After the event, the company replaced all 500 straws in the machine located at Goldhill Centre, an affluent district of Singapore.

 The video posted by Maximilien was reposted on community pages and covered by local news outlets. Many viewers reacted with disgust, labeling the act a public nuisance and wasteful. Maximilien’s lawyer said he was “truly sorry” and admitted that the prank was more consequential than he had imagined.

 This episode serves as a reminder of the limits of viral challenges and the legal repercussions of interfering with public facilities. It also underscores Singapore’s responsiveness to public safety concerns and the swift measures taken by companies to prevent further incidents.