KUALA LUMPUR: A social media post showing food leftovers, containers, and trays left on a table at a fast-food restaurant has sparked debate over whether customers should clean up after themselves.
The photo, uploaded on Threads by user alifnizam_, was accompanied by a caption stating that it should be common sense for diners to clear up after eating.
“I understand there are workers (at the fast-food restaurant), but at least have some common sense.
“If you don’t want to throw it in the bin, at least tidy up a little to make things easier for the staff,” he wrote.
In the comments, most users agreed with Alif, while others questioned the point of paying a service charge if diners were still expected to clean up.
User asyraffadzli said it costs nothing to lend a hand.
“It doesn’t hurt to help—sort out the cups, stack the paper plates, push the chair back after sitting, gather the trash. Then the crew only needs to clear it and wipe the table,” he said.
Meanwhile, user vin.teo.16 said he would only clean up if the service was good.
“I look at the service first. If the staff are friendly and smile, I’ll help.
“But if they treat me badly, don’t smile, and look miserable, I’ll just leave everything there,” he said.
User barracuda_is_back compared fast-food restaurants to mamak eateries.
“Why is it that at mamak stalls or restaurants, we don’t have to clean up? The staff do it.
“But at fast-food outlets, we’re expected to tidy up ourselves, even though fast-food prices are double or triple compared to outside eateries,” he said.
Another user, mohdfir85, suggested that the service charge itself discourages people from cleaning up.
“Who asked them to impose such high service charges? If there was no service charge, it would be different,” he said.
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