Over the past couple of days, the Singaporean custom of reserving tables received serious scrutiny when one such case of chope-ing exploded into a violent outburst.
Welp, one individual wants take down the contentious Singapore practice in the most Singaporean way: hefty fines. Classic.
Usually, it’s understood among locals that if tissues, umbrellas or any other personal belongings are left on seats and tables, that means someone else has already reserved (essentially, choped) the spot.
In a case of chope-ing gone wrong, an elderly man who simply wanted a single seat to eat at a hawker centre in Toa Payoh was at the receiving end of verbal and physical abuse by a belligerent couple, who had apparently choped the table. This, despite the two of them occupying a table that’s fit for way more.
Don’t worry, the bullies have since been arrested for the offence of public nuisance.
Someone, however, has taken a rather hardline view against such actions, and felt the need to write to The Straits Times’ forum section. Suggested actions include imposing a $1,000 fine on people “who reserve big tables when their group is small”, putting up signs to warn patrons against chope-ing, and installing cameras for the purpose of deterring the practice. Pretty extreme and costly actions really, for such a small discourtesy.
At least the letter writer knows that fines aren’t the best way to do so, and acknowledges that “education is the better approach”.
“But trying to bring about change through education takes time. With fines, the effect will be immediate and choping will be history.”
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