A Malaysian Facebook page recently shared a post informing Singaporean visitors that reserving tables with tissue packets<\/a> at food establishments is not a recognised practice across the Causeway, leaving netizens amused and confused.<\/p>\n The post, shared by Facebook page Meanwhile in Malaysia<\/a> on Sept 13, says: \u201cDear Singaporean tourists and visitors, putting tissue to \u201cchop\u201d your dining table doesn\u2019t work in Malaysia. It\u2019s a survival of the fittest here.\u201d<\/p>\n The page, which aims to share the \u201cquirks and charm of Malaysia\u201d, has over 280,000 followers.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the post in question racked up over 6,000 reactions and 750 comments in just two days.<\/p>\n Responses to the post were mostly light-hearted, with many attempting to explain how it is done in Malaysia.<\/p>\n \u201cTissue on the table (means) someone left it behind or forgot about it,\u201d said a Facebook user.<\/p>\n \u201cPutting tissue to chop (sic) table? Euw so weak,\u201d another quipped.<\/p>\n \u201cHere, we put husband,\u201d explained a user. One user elaborated \u2014 with some jest \u2014 on the \u201cconcept\u201d of using family members to reserve seats: \u201cYou have to sacrifice your least favourite kid. Left them to guard the table.\u201d<\/p>\n One netizen helpfully explained why Singaporeans sometimes found their tissue packets missing.<\/p>\n \u201cIn Malaysia, food courts sometimes have free tissues on the table. You put yours there, people think it\u2019s free to use,\u201d the netizen said.<\/p>\n Another netizen, likely alluding to the perceived affluence of Singaporean visitors, suggested, tongue-in-cheek: \u201cYeah, please put a handphone (best latest model) or wallet or sling bag. It works better than tissue.\u201d<\/p>\n There were also genuinely helpful comments. One suggested buying a drink and leaving it on the table to indicate it is reserved. Another said: \u201cIn Malaysia, if you eat alone in a kopitiam, you should usually take chopsticks and saucer with kicap (added) out and put on your table.<\/p>\n Some Malaysian netizens took the opportunity to recount their experiences with Singaporean visitors who were unaware that their tissue paper or personal items like umbrellas have little value when it comes to table reservations.<\/p>\n One netizen recounted an experience at a Petaling Jaya eatery where they used tissues to wipe down the table and chairs before sitting down. When the person who had placed the tissue paper returned, they apparently accused the netizen of being \u201cblind\u201d for not noticing it.<\/p>\n \u201cWe told him there was no such practice in Malaysia and we had used the tissues to clean the table and chairs. He and his friends walked away grumbling with some Hokkien \u2018blessings\u2019,\u201d added the Facebook user.<\/p>\n Another netizen described a similar encounter, involving an umbrella instead of tissue paper.<\/p>\n \u201cIn Penang, we saw an umbrella left on a dining table in a food court. I chucked away the umbrella onto the floor and took the seats. After that, a couple came by \u2014 then only did I realise they \u2018choped\u2019 the seats. I told them this is not Singapore, don\u2019t bring your rules over to Malaysia.\u201d<\/p>\n Several Singaporeans, critical of the practice, chimed in.<\/p>\n \u201cAgree \u2014 as a Singaporean, I don\u2019t encourage that as well,\u201d said a netizen.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is one of the most ungracious habits of many Singaporeans,\u201d another said.<\/p>\n A third added: \u201cAs a Singaporean, I really do feel bad about bringing over our habits. Being in the shoes of a Malaysian, I guess I would be pretty much annoyed and I think I would probably start using the tissue paper left on the table as well.\u201d<\/p>\n Have something to say? Join in!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Explore more on these topics<\/p>\n<\/div>\n See something interesting? Contribute<\/a> your story to us.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nMalaysians jokingly dismiss Singaporeans\u2019 \u2018choping\u2019 behaviour<\/h2>\n
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<\/div>\n<\/div>\nMalaysian netizens recount encounters with \u2018choping\u2019 culture<\/h2>\n
Singaporeans agree that \u2018choping\u2019 culture shouldn\u2019t be brought overseas<\/h2>\n
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