Need a seat. Any tissue pack handy?

MPs are not above everyone else

Trying to find a seat at a crowded food court during lunch hour is a common scene anywhere in the world. Singapore is no different. We seem to spend more time trying to find a seat than to buy our food and eat it. An hour lunch break is sometimes more stressful than the work day.

Enter the tissue packet. Everyone's got at least one pack of tissues with them. Serviettes or napkins are not provided by the food stall. You need to bring your own tissue to wipe your mouth after eating. They're also cheap enough to not cry over if lost or stolen.

So, some Singaporean started using the tissue pack to reserve seats during the busy lunch hour. And the trend went viral, way before "viral" was word used in this way. Empty tables with tissue packs evenly spread out on top are a common sight in any crowded food court. Tourists would be puzzled as to why there are so many people walking around trying to find a seat when there are so many empty tables and seats. Unwritten code? Maybe. Certainly a unique cultural quirk of the Singaporean!

So here came the coffee shop owner showing initiative when the Member of Parliament (MP) was scheduled to visit his food place. "The MP is an important person. I must make sure there are enough seats for his entourage when they come" is probably what was going on in his mind. So, he did what every true-blue Singaporean does: lay out the tissue packs on the tables, much to the chagrin of the customers!

In the end, the tissue packs were removed. The MP didn't need special treatment. If there were no seats when he arrived, then so be it. He is, after all, a public servant, which means he is not above everyone else, but at the same level to serve, not to lord over anyone.

Kudos to the MP for dismissing with all formalities. He wants to be treated just like anyone else. Don't we all? Shouldn't we all? If the MP is coming, then he needs to bring his own tissue packs to reserve seats like everyone else! I think that's a great idea.

What do you do in your country to reserve a seat at a crowded place?

Here's to celebrating everyone's unique culture!

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