9-12-2023 (SINGAPORE) Since 2021, Singapore has enforced a rule requiring diners to return their trays and clear their tables at food establishments. While initially met with some resistance, it seems that this practice has become a habit for many Singaporeans.
A recent incident involving a young couple from Singapore has garnered praise from netizens for setting a positive example. The couple was spotted returning their trays at a café in Malaysia, even though there were no fines imposed for not doing so.
The thoughtful act was captured on CCTV and shared on TikTok by Kopi & Kueh, a café in Port Dickson. The video, posted on Thursday (7 Dec), has already gained over 80,000 views and received more than 2,000 likes.
In the video, the couple can be seen stacking their used plates, bowls, and cutlery onto one tray after finishing their meal. The man then carried the tray away, but before leaving, he made sure to push the bench he was sitting on under the table with his legs. The woman also took the time to neatly tuck the chairs she used under the table, going above and beyond what was expected.
@kopidankueh Sampai meja lain pun dia tolong kemas sekali. Semoga pelanggan macam ni murah rezeki selalu ???? #fyp #xyzbca #foryourpage #coffee #portdickson #kopidankueh ♬ Save Your Tears – The Weeknd
Surprisingly, after the couple left the frame, the woman returned to clear the table behind them, which had been left in a mess by other customers. Although it wasn’t her responsibility, she took it upon herself to clean up, impressing the café operators who mentioned it in their caption.
Although the café didn’t have a designated tray return area, the man returned his tray to the counter. The woman, on the other hand, returned the tray from the other table to the appreciative staff. Their considerate actions lifted a burden off the staff’s shoulders, and the café expressed their gratitude.
Netizens applauded the couple in the comments, with one individual expressing respect for customers like them. While there were speculations that the couple might be Japanese, known for their cleanliness habits, others pointed out the woman’s tattoos, suggesting that they were Singaporean.
The introduction of laws in Singapore that impose fines on individuals who fail to clear their trays has led to a culture of cleanliness and responsibility. The couple’s actions exemplified this culture, and the café owner, speaking to Sin Chew Daily, expressed pleasant surprise at their considerate behavior. Clearing tables is a rare occurrence among customers, but the couple from Singapore went above and beyond by even clearing tables used by others.
The café shared the CCTV footage to encourage Malaysians to learn from the couple’s example and alleviate the burden on staff. While the law in Singapore is the main driving force behind tray returns, it’s heartening to see that basic civic consciousness prevailed in the couple’s case. Despite not being in Singapore, they chose to uphold the good habit of cleaning up after themselves.
Hopefully, both Singaporeans and Malaysians can learn from this couple’s exemplary behavior, and fines will become unnecessary in encouraging responsible dining habits.
