Last Saturday at Food Republic in Parkway Parade, I managed to get seats for my wife and me. Now the layout at the new food court have tables in a row like in a school canteen. There was a Gen X couple on one side and a family of four (with two pre-teen kids) on the other.
My wife came back with her char kueh teow and was preparing to remove her plate from the tray to put on the table so that she could return the tray. I reminded her to keep the plate on the tray so she could use it to bring to the tray return section after eating. This should be audible to my neighbours.
Minutes later the Gen X couple finished their food and left. I was surprised that they did not return their trays. They must have heard my earlier comments but they chose not to support the tray return campaign. Another couple came along to 'chope' the table but were disgusted and left.
Later on the other family also left their trays behind. Besides that they left the table in a mess with ice cubes on the table. They were with two kids and the parents were setting a lousy example. A cleaner came by and was complaining loudly. As I finished my meal, I tidied my area with my used tissue (re-cycle, re-use!) and prepared the tray for return. Seeing my effort the cleaner said she would return it for me. What a kind caring gesture!
Two educated families versus the lowly paid cleaner with their contrasting attitude. What can I learn about our 'me' society?
