Monday, March 24, 2008
jUniquely SingaporeI met a couple of friends up for lunch last week in the CBD area, a.k.a Raffles Place, and boy was I in for a shock. I had no idea that its SO congested during lunch time. And I hear it can be worse. Guess what, the huge crowds weren't the greatest shocker. Check out the pics!
^The queue for Subway sandwiches was at least 25 people long^
As I walked into one of the underground foodcourts in the vicinity, I witnessed a phenomenon I've only previously heard about.
The Tissue Paper Culture
For the benefit of some those who aren't sure what I'm talking about, the "Tissue Paper Culture" is a protocol among Singaporeans, used to
chop (or reserve) a place in some hawker centre or foodcourt. From my observation, it's Most apparent amongst the working class, hence you'd see this more in CBD area where everyone seems to be rushing like mad. By the way in the picture above, it's just One packet of tissue paper. Mind you, it's considered tame amidst the efforts of others. Look at the how innovative Singaporeans can be.
^Paper Bag Chopping^
^The WHOLE area is like chopped, with umbrellas, tissue papers and flyers!^
^As if one umbrella isn't enough^
^Even seats located at more deserted corners weren't spared^
^This one even more power, use a fricking flower lah^
The experience was so amusing. Suaku (or ignorant) Marvin has never seen something like that. A pack or two here and there in a hawker centre, yes I've seen that. But something as widespread as this, no. The amazing thing is that Everyone abides by this unspoken rule. Seeing tissue is as good as seeing the person! I guess this is how orderly we Singaporeans can be.
j
Mischievous me was quite tempted to flick away a packet of tissue and seat down, haha. When I was taking one of the photos, the owner of one of the packets of tissue came back with her food, and there I was with my camera still in my hand. Damn paiseh I tell you.
j
Initially I found it very atrocious that something like this is happening. On second thoughts, is it really that bad? Many working class peeps eat alone (too busy to make friends in office perhaps?), hence it's kinda hard for them to wait for a place and buy food simultaneously within the short lunch break right? Moreover if one went ahead to buy food without a place, he or she may just end up eating his/her laksa while standing. In an unorthodox way, this culture of chopping seats does provide a useful system. So, is the Tissue Paper Culture good or bad?
j
Meanwhile, bring a few more packets of tissue when you head for lunch in the CBD. =)
j
- Marvin
^The queue for Subway sandwiches was at least 25 people long^ 
For the benefit of some those who aren't sure what I'm talking about, the "Tissue Paper Culture" is a protocol among Singaporeans, used to chop (or reserve) a place in some hawker centre or foodcourt. From my observation, it's Most apparent amongst the working class, hence you'd see this more in CBD area where everyone seems to be rushing like mad. By the way in the picture above, it's just One packet of tissue paper. Mind you, it's considered tame amidst the efforts of others. Look at the how innovative Singaporeans can be.
