Hawker centre cleaners often get taken for granted, to the extent of almost being deliberately ignored, by patrons.

We think that cleaning the tables is their job, and seldom spare a thought, much less any action (not making a mess when dining or clearing our own trays, for example), to make it easier for the elderly working at it.

Here's a common argument that we have surely heard before (or even recite as adage):

Makes sense, right?

Wrong.

In a video uploaded by the Singapore Kindness Movement, 67-year-old Tan Huan Ah, who used to run a small tzechar stall at a hawker centre herself, debunks that, and another convenient excuse people give — that cleaners will lose their jobs if everyone cleared their own dishes and trays:

Thankfully, says Tan, there are younger hawker centre patrons who are happy to carry their trays to the collection areas.

But it always makes her day, she adds.

You can watch the full clip here:

Here are some equally interesting but totally unrelated stories:

6 life hacks you never knew could save you tons of water

Who looks after our ailing seniors outside of general hospitals?

Top photo: screenshots from video