Claims that fines will be meted out at hawker centres for ‘choping’ seats are false: NEA
The common practice in Singapore of “choping” seats at hawker centres with tissues or umbrellas will not get you fined, said the National Environment Agency (NEA).
The clarification in a Facebook post on Wednesday (9 April) came as false information circulated online claimed to the contrary.
Source: A Brit in Amsterdam on Blogspot
Social media posts claim ‘chope-free’ zones to be introduced at hawker centres
According to the viral social media posts, including one posted on Facebook on Tuesday (8 April), NEA would introduce “chope-free” zones at some hawker centres from next month.
It claimed that at these areas, diners would be banned from reserving seats with items like tissues, umbrellas or lanyards.
Source: Facebook
Those who do so would have their items confiscated, with a S$2 “release fee” required to get them back at a “lost and found” collection point, it also alleged.
Even more bizarrely, the post claimed that repeat offenders would be forced to stand and eat in a bid for “etiquette correction”.
NEA clarifies no fines for “choping” seats
Debunking the claims, NEA said: “No, you won’t be fined for ‘choping’ seats.”
Recent messages about penalities for reserving seats at hawker centres, as well as the implementation of “chope-free” zones, are false, it added.
However, NEA reminded the public that they should be considerate while dining at hawker centres so everyone can have an enjoyable dining experience.
Source: lobangsiah.sg
Post receives mixed reactions from netizens
Netizens commenting on NEA’s post had mixed reactions.
One commenter was surprised that so many people believed the fake news as a simple Google search would have exposed its lack of credibility.
Source: Facebook
Another felt that the fine was actually a good idea and that NEA should implement it for real. Conflictingly, they also felt that the practice of “choping” seats deserved a nomination to be added to the UNESCO cultural heritage list, just like the kebaya.
Source: Facebook
A user argued that “choping” seats is part of Singapore culture and urged the public to accept it and move on.
Source: Facebook
Another agreed, saying reserving a seat is necessary for solo diners in the CBD before purchasing food. Otherwise, it would be a struggle to find a table while walking around with their food.
Source: Facebook
‘Choping’ has been a hot topic for years
To be sure, choping seats isn’t done only in Singapore.
In 2022, a Japanese TikToker caused quite a stir when he shared how to reserve a seat in a Japanese food court, with Singapore netizens commenting that it’s basically “choping“.
However, the practice has been a hot topic for years, with an exchange student from Germany suffering “culture shock” when he saw it happen at the National University of Singapore.
Also read: German Exchange Student In NUS Shocked By Singapore’s Choping Culture
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Featured image adapted from A Brit in Amsterdam on Blogspot.
