How do we define graciousness?

Was on my way to work and was listening to 938 Live. Topic was on a campaign that encourages customers who patronise their food centre to return their own food trays when they are done. In other words, cleaning up after themselves.

Personally, I'll all for cleaning up after yourself. But to judge me on whether I am gracious or not based on whether I return my trays is absolutely RIDICULOUS. I, for one, always say "thank you" to the cleaning uncles and aunties who help me to clear my tray while I finish up my drinks.

Note: I didn't clear my tray, but I did say "thank you". Does this make me any less gracious? Although I don't mind clearing my own trays, some aunties like to do it themselves as they feel they can clear the trays and clean the tables at the same time. this way, they do not have to do 2 things seperately. Take this example for instance.

All of us clear our trays and there's no proper designated tray slots for us, so we just simply stack our trays one on top of another messily. This doesn't lessen the work load of the cleaners but add on to it! They will have to remove the trays which are balancing precariously with bowls of soupy stuff inside! If they accidentally topple the tray, they not only have to clear the bowls, they will have to mop the floor. Double, if not triple work for them!!!

If we really want to lessen their work load, we could help by stacking up our bowls/plates neatly when we are done. Or we could put all the plates, bowls and cups into that one tray and push it to one side for the cleaners to easily pick the tray and go.

It is not our responsibility to help lessen the work load of the cleaners. It is the management of the food court who should take this responsibility. The fact that you have such a high turn over rate means people are coming to your food court to eat. Your staff are overworked? Employ another to ease the workload. Don't want to? Then we shouldn't patronise the food court, so your cleaners will have less to clear. Is that a better solution then?






I'm cute and funny and I know it. No need to keep telling me that.