Merely following the crowd

IT IS interesting to note how naturally I return my food tray after a meal when overseas, yet not in Singapore.

When I was studying in England, it was common practice for students and faculty alike to take their trays to collection points, so it was easy to follow suit.

Conversely, in Singapore, people generally leave their trays uncleared. The collection points for trays are also more obscure and harder to reach. Hence, I also find it easy to follow suit here.

It is the habit of 'following the masses', rather than upbringing.

In light of the recent movement, I shall try to change this and set a good example for others to follow.

Aisha Mostafa, 23, is an honours arts graduate from the University of Huddersfield

Civic-minded dad set good example

I HAPPILY return my tray both at school and in foodcourts.

My father has always demonstrated to me the importance of being gracious.

Not only does he always clear his food tray after eating, he also clears the trays left on neighbouring tables, and carries tissues, so he can clean his table after eating.

He knows it is the cleaners' job, but his stand is: Why not just help them out? His civic-minded initiatives motivate me to do the same.

So maybe we should not entirely fault youth who refuse to return their trays and clean up after themselves.

Perhaps their parents' laziness encouraged them to follow in their grubby footsteps.

Bryna Sim, 22, is a final-year history student at National University of Singapore

Ordered to stop by upset cleaner

I WAS raised to clean up after myself at fast-food restaurants and foodcourts. But this changed after a cleaner accosted me in my act of 'good social grace'.

She told me, in no uncertain terms, to stop returning the trays myself: 'If you keep doing this, I'll be out of a job.'

For better or for worse, people commonly regard clearing trays as solely the purview of paid cleaners. To then accuse them of poor social graces is missing the point, since people do return their trays at places where there are rules that clearly say so.

Move the cleaners to fixed collection points, impose a clear rule to clear your tray yourself, and the problem will be solved.

Wong Chun Han, 22, is a final-year history student at the London School of Economics

Shift in mentality is needed

GETTING youth to clear their own trays requires a paradigm shift in mentality for those who are used to having other people clean up after them.

While I support The Straits Times' cause, I do not blame those who display a cavalier attitude towards this issue.

We have been brought up to believe that foodcourt assistants are paid to ensure the cleanliness of the place. Therefore, many of us do not see the link between the act of clearing one's own tray and forging a more gracious society.

Perhaps we should try putting ourselves in the shoes of those tasked to clear up after us, many of whom are old enough to be our parents or grandparents. Only then might the paradigm shift be achieved.

Muhammad Farouq bin Osman, 19, has a place to read arts and social sciences at NUS

This article was first published in The Straits Times on Oct 12, 2008.

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