How to get a seat?

‘FOOD’- the word itself will strike excitement in the typical Singaporean. Singaporeans are known to be foodies world-wide. Hence, it does not come as a surprise that food courts are filled with people, especially during the lunch period, or weekends. Then, the problem of finding a seat arises. Thus, some office workers have devised an innovative solution- tissue “choping” or reserving a seat with tissue paper packets, in proper English. This five year old method is still common now, in many food courts. Recently, a group of students from Singapore Management University (SMU), have launched a campaign against this, calling it ‘socially ungracious’. However, I disagree.

I think that their anger is only psychological. In a top-tier restaurant, one can see many empty tables with a card that says ‘RESERVED’. The ‘reserved’ card is actually, in a way, similar to a packet of tissue paper- both represent, the first-come-first-serve spirit and that the seat is reserved. If they could imagine the tissue paper packet as a ‘reserved’ card, they most probably would not feel angry.

Although some diners say that leaving a person behind is more gracious, I feel otherwise. Take this example: Both Tim and John go to the food court. If they take turns to buy food, leaving the other person behind, they will take more time than if both of them left tissue paper packets behind, and went to buy food at the same time. What is important is the time each diner spends at his seat, not whether a tissue paper packet or a human is left behind. In fact, there is not much difference. It is also impossible for people eating alone to leave a person behind.

Office workers have short lunch breaks, so it is unpractical for them to queue up first, and then look for a seat. The tray of food might also turn cold while looking around for seats. Generally, tissue ‘choping’ is a time-saving and practical way for office workers who have a tight schedule.