Goodness but not Gracious! What are we up to, or more specifically, what have we come to? After more than 20 years of our 'Uniquely Singapore' Courtesy Campaign, we have been found wanting in a large swathe of incompetencies in our Ps and Qs. But why?
Many blame our competitive society and the stress-driven life we're leading - but, we do have a choice, don't we? Others are quick to point their finger at the fact that both parents are working; so, they claim, parents have no time to teach their children well - absurd, I must say.
The Straits Times is the protaganist behind this latest campaign to get our people - and that includes foreigners, as well - to return their utensils and other paraphernalia after their meals at fast-food outlets, food courts and even the ubiquitous hawker centres dotting our little island. I read a comment by a Caucasian, a foreigner, I believe, that everywhere else in the world, except Singapore, in Macdonald's outlets, customers return their trays after dining. He added that perhaps it isn't our culture in Singapore to do this! Goodness, gracious how audacious, Singapore!
Many of us have also seen, and been partisan to the mess that's left behind on the table by diners. We have no qualms about this but more importantly, we don't seem to understand that we are being rude and discourteous to the next diner. I'm sure we have found ourselves in situations where we had to occupy a messy and filthy table, and must have cursed either our bad luck and timing or the previous diners for leaving behind the filth and grime. So why do we need to perpetrate this perpetual cycle? There is a need to break this cycle.
But, of course, there are many who believe we are doing the cleaners a great favour: Their belief systems is so ingrained with the wrong notion that if they don't leave their mess, crockery or utensils around, the cleaners will end up unemployed. So, what's wrong with helping them out with a steady job, right? Wrong! Cleaners will still have a job; it's just that they will now have a lighter load, less stress, more time to do their job better - and it's all for a cleaner and healthier dining environment; that's exactly what we're seeking, a more pleasant and conducive dining experience, aren't we?
Let's do our part, even if there are no stations for us to return our dining paraphernalia, the least we can do is to keep our tables clean - I hope we're doing this at home?
Many blame our competitive society and the stress-driven life we're leading - but, we do have a choice, don't we? Others are quick to point their finger at the fact that both parents are working; so, they claim, parents have no time to teach their children well - absurd, I must say.
The Straits Times is the protaganist behind this latest campaign to get our people - and that includes foreigners, as well - to return their utensils and other paraphernalia after their meals at fast-food outlets, food courts and even the ubiquitous hawker centres dotting our little island. I read a comment by a Caucasian, a foreigner, I believe, that everywhere else in the world, except Singapore, in Macdonald's outlets, customers return their trays after dining. He added that perhaps it isn't our culture in Singapore to do this! Goodness, gracious how audacious, Singapore!
Many of us have also seen, and been partisan to the mess that's left behind on the table by diners. We have no qualms about this but more importantly, we don't seem to understand that we are being rude and discourteous to the next diner. I'm sure we have found ourselves in situations where we had to occupy a messy and filthy table, and must have cursed either our bad luck and timing or the previous diners for leaving behind the filth and grime. So why do we need to perpetrate this perpetual cycle? There is a need to break this cycle.
But, of course, there are many who believe we are doing the cleaners a great favour: Their belief systems is so ingrained with the wrong notion that if they don't leave their mess, crockery or utensils around, the cleaners will end up unemployed. So, what's wrong with helping them out with a steady job, right? Wrong! Cleaners will still have a job; it's just that they will now have a lighter load, less stress, more time to do their job better - and it's all for a cleaner and healthier dining environment; that's exactly what we're seeking, a more pleasant and conducive dining experience, aren't we?
Let's do our part, even if there are no stations for us to return our dining paraphernalia, the least we can do is to keep our tables clean - I hope we're doing this at home?
