It’s that time of the year again when offerings for the “Good Brothers” are seen at street corners and open spaces for the Hungry Ghost Festival.
But this year, some netizens pointed out a recurring issue: after prayers, the food offerings were left behind… for days.
Offerings left on streets, food turned into “Street Buffets”
In recent days, several Facebook posts showed plates of rice, noodles, roast chicken, drinks, and incense left untouched on roadsides after the rituals.
While these offerings were meant for the spirits, netizens said leaving them there for too long turned them into messy “street buffets” instead.
One comment bluntly said:
“Only know how to pray, but don’t clean up after. Very disgusting.”
Others shared how some people even burned offerings at parking lots without cleaning up, leaving ashes and food waste occupying spaces the next morning.
Of course, the tradition behind Hungry Ghost Festival prayers is centuries-old and culturally meaningful.
But netizens argue that not clearing the offerings gives outsiders the impression that it’s unhygienic and inconsiderate, especially in public areas.
Some also worried that leaving food out for too long could attract pests or create hygiene problems.
Many suggested that families can continue the prayers but also clean up right after — preserving the tradition while keeping public spaces neat.
