Oct 4, 2008
The Straits Times spearheads move for more graciousness By
Kimberly Spykerman SMALL steps can lead to a more gracious
nation.
The Straits Times is hoping to nudge Singaporeans in the right
direction, by getting foodcourt customers to take a few extra
steps, and clear their own trays after a meal.
'Clearing your own tray is a simple act. But if everyone does
it, the difference it will make to the place will be huge,' said ST
editor Han Fook Kwang.
'It's these little things we do which matter because they show
that we care for the next person. That's what being gracious is
about - looking after and being considerate to fellow
Singaporeans,' said Mr Han, who conceived ST's tray-return project,
called 'Goodness Gracious Me!'
The effort, starting today at five Kopitiam foodcourts, will
eventually be extended islandwide, under the umbrella of the
Singapore Kindness Movement (SKM).
Each outlet will be festooned with colourful posters, stickers
and hanging mobiles, reminding diners to return their trays.
The hope is that tray-returning will mushroom into even more
considerate acts, and lead to people treating one another
better.
Sociologist Paulin Straughan said that extending small acts of
courtesy beyond the foodcourt would help Singapore grow to become a
more gracious society.
'It becomes normal behaviour to be mindful and responsible
stakeholders in the environment we live in. It's not just about
trays but about protecting our shared public space,' she said.
The issue even made its way to this year's National Day Rally
speech. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong described the common sight
of uncleared trays at foodcourts, when he highlighted the need to
improve social graces.
The well-being of Singaporeans depends not just on
bread-and-butter issues but also on how people behave and relate to
one another, said PM Lee.
Singapore Kindness Movement chairman Koh Poh Tiong said he was
delighted at the news of The Straits Times' tray-return
project.
'We need to expand our pool of like-minded Singaporeans who
genuinely care about the environment and want to make Singapore a
better place,' he said.
The ST initiative comes after earlier attempts to get people to
return their trays failed.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) tried it five years ago at
its Zion Road hawker centre, with poor results. A similar attempt
was made earlier this year at the Suntec City Fountain Food Terrace
by owner Chesterton International Property Consultants, again with
little impact.
'It's a mindset problem,' said NEA hawkers department director
Chan Wai San. 'People think they go to hawker centres to eat, not
clean up.'
But leaving a clean table after eating your fill can help make
the hawker centre 'more efficient', because it cuts down on waiting
time for patrons, noted Ms Chan.
With 1.3 million readers, Mr Han is confident that ST is in a
good position to take this message to a larger stage.
Mr Han, who frequents foodie haunt Chomp Chomp in Serangoon
Gardens, said that he was galvanised into action because of the
'terrible mess' that was always left behind on the tables.
While there is currently no tray-return policy at the hawker
centres here, Mr Koh said that plans are under way to establish
such a system.
NEA will relaunch the Tray Return Movement @ Zion Road Hawker
Centre at the end of this year, with plans to extend it to other
hawker centres and fast-food restaurants, under the SKM's 'Kindness
in public places' initiative.
Echoing Mr Koh's sentiments that 'civic-mindedness must become
second nature for all Singaporeans', Mr Han said that it is
important to understand what the act of clearing your own tray
implies.
'When you see a place that is clean, with no leftover food on
the table, you are more willing to play your part in keeping the
environment clean. If it's a dirty place, you just accept it,' he
noted.
Fixing the problem requires a drastic change in mindset.
In many office canteens, including the Singapore Press Holdings
canteen at Toa Payoh North, it is standard practice to clear the
table and return the trays, or face being chided by colleagues.
The secret to this, said Mr Han, was the need to build a clear
sense of community. 'Or maybe it's because of peer pressure,' he
quipped, with a laugh.
Kopitiam managing director Alden Tan said that the foodcourt was
the ideal place to take action on 'community and social
issues'.
He said of ST's cause: 'I believe it will gather strength and
momentum. Social change does not happen overnight but this small
step represents a huge leap for Singaporeans.'
What is your take on the above issue?
Do you clear your own tray after meal in foodcourts? Why?
If not, why?
