A photo showing employee ID cards placed on a table at a popular KL mall’s food court has gone viral, with many debating whether the act of reserving seats this way is acceptable.
The photo was uploaded to Threads, where a user criticised the behaviour of diners who leave their work IDs behind to secure seats while queuing for food, especially during peak lunch hours.
Critic labels action as inconsiderate
The uploader described the act as selfish, pointing out that diners who already have their food often struggle to find a place to sit because seats have been reserved with objects like ID cards, umbrellas, or water bottles.
He added that it would be more acceptable if someone stayed behind to hold the seat, rather than using personal items to mark the spot and disappearing.
Some defend the practice as practical
While the post attracted criticism, others viewed it as a necessary tactic, particularly for solo diners.
One user noted that reserving a seat ahead of time prevents the hassle of carrying food around in search of a table.
Another called it a clever strategy and said it simply followed a “first come, first served” logic.
Public space should stay public, others argue
Despite the support, many agreed that using items to “claim” seats is unfair. Some users shared that they wouldn’t hesitate to move unattended IDs if they needed a seat.
A commenter stressed that food courts are shared public spaces and that saving seats with personal items creates unnecessary conflict, especially during short lunch breaks.
