Hawker Tray Return Tray

The scene makes me feel quite disappointed. In the picture, the hawker table is covered with used bowls, tissue paper and leftover food, and the previous customers have simply walked away. Anyone who wants to sit there now has to either wait for a cleaner or eat beside somebody else's mess. What I also noticed is that the tray-return station is visible nearby, so it was not far away and the people simply chose not to use it.

Yes, I do return my tray. The last time I ate at a hawker centre was on Saturday, when my family had breakfast at the market near our flat. I brought my plate and my father's bowl to the tray-return station on my way to get more chilli, so it did not even need an extra trip. My grandmother, who is quite elderly, cannot carry hers easily, so I usually clear hers as well.

I think some people still do not return their trays out of habit rather than laziness, because for many years there were always cleaners and nobody expected customers to clear up. Some also say they are in a hurry, or that they are worried about losing their seat if they get up. I feel change will come from making it easier and more normal, such as having return stations at every corner and children reminding their parents. Most importantly, when most tables are already clear, leaving yours dirty starts to feel obvious, and that social pressure works better than fines.