Stories of a Canadian living in India, traveling around Asia
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You can be forgiven for thinking that someone ‘Oops!’ left their wallet behind.
But nope! This is instead a small indication that this table has been reserved while folks go get their meal. It could be a packet of tissues, a ticket stub, a phone, keys, practically anything!
Have you ever encountered something similar to reserve a seat or table where you live?
Or is this just a terribly considerate honest approach possible only in Singapore?
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Everyday Asia 
A coat seems to be the main saver around these parts… but a warm body is more reliable.
Hahaha!!! Well considering no one is typically wearing coats in Singapore, easy to see why that isn’t what is left. It is simply amazing the kind of valuables that are casually left to ‘reserve’ in full confidence that nothing will be taken. 🙂
So true about the coats! That really is amazing that no one seems to have a care about leaving a wallet or keys. I feel like I’ve seen that somewhere but I can’t recall where. Maybe it was in Canada or outside? I thought it pretty brazen but on the other hand, it’s like me leaving my backpack (filled with diapers usually but still :D) on a chair. Or, now with child, a stroller left a park or play area filled with all our daily needs.
I just got a serious case of the giggles…. Image of territorial mama at work! 😉 “See these diapers?? You do NOT wanna steal this spot or I’ll sic my toddler on you!” I mean come on, who wouldn’t give way to a mama and kiddo?
ha ha ha! I love the image you left in my mind, too. 😀
It reminds me of my cousins who never lock their doors here, in Texas and Australia. They figure if someone is going to break in, that’s fine and at least make it easy. Ha!
That’s like the small town my mom grew up in… no one locked their doors.
My father used to have that attitude about his car – figured nothing to steal so if they could break in and see that, wouldn’t smash a window trying to get in.
Ya! And that’s what was so shocking. Small towns makes sense but Calgary, just outside of Austin, TX, and Brisbane?! Not exactly small town places but there ya go… no fear.
Must be only in Singapore but I wouldn’t know as I’ve never been much around. I also haven’t been in a restaurant for years, but I don’t think they do it here in South Africa. I do know that the members of the Oewerclub we have here in Hartbeespoort do that when they want to reserve a table at the picnic spots. They would then go there early in the morning and put a table cloth over the tables and sometimes chairs or even baskets on the tables, so others can see that the spot is reserved. You won’t be able to do that in the public areas though. If it’s a wallet, it will be gone in seconds! 😆
I like the idea of pre-setting up your picnic table though – sweet! Just as long as there isn’t food to invite an ant colony to make off with the goodies before for the humans get a crack at them. 🙂
hahahaha! No, around here they know food will invite the ants, so they wait with that until all arrived for the ‘picnic’ or braai. This time of the year the ants are very busy. 😀
Hehehe! Smart! Very smart! 🙂
I thought Finland was honest but I wouldn’t leave a mobile here on the table! But a coat, gloves, jersey would indicate the same thing here.
I can see that! I’m amazed how many places seem to ‘reserve’ seats like this. Here in Mumbai, that would only be in a concert type situation where you leave a scarf or something (Cus it ain’t like we are sporting coats, gloves n jersey’s here!) when someone you know is also beside the seat you want to ‘reserve’ too! Can’t imagine it would work in a truly ‘public’ place?!
I suppose there is always less of a crowd here 😀
Hahaha! True this kind of things comes much more in handy in crowded parts. 🙂
Around Finland and Germany they leave behind their coats. I read somewhere that in Japan they often leave their purse on the table as well to show that it is reserved/ already taken, dont know though if its really true
In cold climes coats work well! Haven’t witnessed the purse phenomenon in Japan, however also haven’t been to the kind of busy places where would likely occur!
What’s amazing about Singapore is you can even ‘reserve’ it in the morning when you are walking into office for your lunchtime. Or so I’ve been told. 🙂
Don’t go out to eat much, but in the pubs here if you have to step away you put a coaster over the top of your glass to indicate you a) aren’t done drinking it so the bartenders don’t bin it and b) save your place at the bar.
Hey – I like that one! 🙂
In China they leave their coats, and sometimes a packet of tissue too 🙂
I’m amazed how many places have this ‘reservation’ system! 🙂