Singapore has a well-documented love affair with using tissue paper to "reserve" tables at hawker centres.

Unfortunately, the chope culture is not one that translates well beyond our borders.

In fact, one person who claims to be an exchange student from Germany found it rather unpleasant, and even took the pain to share their experience to confessional Facebook page NUSWhispers.

Here's the post, put up on Jan. 19:

In summary, the German student finds Singaporeans "cold and unfriendly".

The habit of reserving seats with possessions also comes as a culture shock, and the confessor witnessed this not only in canteens, but also in study areas where other students would "reserve" up to four seats and disappear for lunch.

All in all, the German student, who has only been here for two weeks, does not know "what to expect later".

Singaporeans explain

Almost surprisingly, Singaporeans on the page are taking it rather well.

Some explained the rationale behind the chope culture, and even tried to persuade the German student that there are nice people around:

While others taught the student how to get a seat too:

Another Facebook user, apparently from the US, said that they do the same back home:

This might be our favourite quip, though:

Original post:

Top image via NUSWhispers and NUS/Facebook

 

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