After having a delicious meal at a restaurant, you see a pile of rubbish and empty plates being left across the table. Would you proceed to clear the table or leave it as it is?
A debate over this surfaced on social media once again after a netizen opined that customers had no obligation to clear their own mess as restaurant staff were paid to do so.
To clean or not to clean?
The issue was first brought to light in a Threads post, where the OP shared a photo of rubbish being left behind on a table at a fast food outlet.
In the caption, the OP chided the customers, writing: “I understand there are workers, but have a bit of common sense. If you don’t want to throw the rubbish into the bin, at least tidy it up a bit so that it’s easier for the workers.”
Amidst the hundreds of comments written over the post, one stood out like sore thumb, where the netizen defended the customers for not clearing the table.
She explained that she doesn’t judge those who don’t clear their mess after eating, stating it was the eatery management’s responsibility to ensure workers carry out the job they were paid to do.
If a customer helps, they’re actually not helping the staff, but helping the owner by reducing problems, limiting the need for staff and maximising profit.
“I don’t want to act holier-than-thou. Sometimes I’m the kind of customer who leaves it. Sometimes I’m the kind of customer who helps,” she wrote.
Sharp disagreement
However, the netizen’s comment triggered a wave of backlash from others, with many slamming her to excusing the customers’ laziness and lack of civic sense.
‘Right and wrong may define the law, but moral values define who we are.’
‘I will judge when I see someone leave the table messy after eating. Not because I’m holier than thou, but because I’m human and I feel things. I will judge. Period.’
‘We do it because as a human, we care for the workers. We make their job easier. Sometimes the workers are hardworking aunties who have to clean tables for a restaurant with two floors, I don’t act holier-than-thou either. Therefore, I judge people who left messy tables at fast food restaurants.’
What’s your take on this issue? Let us know in the comments!
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