Being Civil Is About Honouring Ourselves And Others

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RECENTLY, an article with the heading “Should diners clean up after eating at fast-food outlets” was published.
Unsurprisingly, readers have different opinions and those who are calculative were quite adamant that it is not their job and insist that workers are paid to do so.
To the selfish, being selfless is an alien concept which they have yet to embrace. They may not have been impacted by selfless love or selfless acts such as receiving help from others, which may be given anonymously or by strangers, unconditionally.
They would be unwilling to volunteer their time to a just cause, donate to charity, or make sacrifices for the benefit of others.
On the flipside, those who are selfless have genuine concern for the well-being of others, and are willing to give time, energy, or resources and may not expect anything in return.
So, would I clean up after eating at fast-food outlets? To me, the question is inconsequential, as I would act the same whether dining at a self-service fast-food outlet, full-service restaurant, canteen, at home or in the middle of nowhere.
I would eat in a civilised manner and not feed like an animal, messing up the table top or the ground.
I often order food cooked to order from stalls or restaurants operating from shophouses, and it can be steamed whole fish or chicken with bones.
At the end of the meal, I will stack up all the plates and bowls and place all the bones on top, and use serviettes to wipe clean the table top of any solid remnants or liquids.
This will allow a worker to lift everything up at one go. If there are waiting customers, they could sit down immediately and comfortably without having to stare at an untidy mess left behind by me.
I do not look at the expression of the worker or next customer whether they are grateful or appreciative. I would do it regardless of whether anyone is watching, as it is my nature.
I have moved house and office several times, and have never left anything behind. Each time, I have swept them clean before surrendering the door keys.
Fast-food outlets are self-service establishments, with the staff mostly working behind the counter and kitchen.
Every now and then, a staff may venture out to clear table tops if they have not been cleared by previous patrons, so as not to turn away new customers.
If need be, I have no qualms removing the mess left behind by others and use my own tissue papers to wipe the table clean.
After my meal, everything will either go into the garbage bin or the tray return station. And irregardless of where I had a meal, I will automatically push back the chair after standing up.
We ought to learn to be more selfless and civil, and less calculative. Instead of quarrelling over petty things, just do what is good.
Arguing adamantly over who or what is right and therefore others must be wrong have only led to misunderstandings, hostilities, fights and even bloodshed. All these can be avoided by just being kind. 
YS Chan is master trainer for Mesra Malaysia and Travel and Tours Enhancement Course and an Asean Tourism Master Trainer. He is also a tourism and transport business consultant.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.
- Focus Malaysia.

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