Mr Brain Dead was looking for something around the DSO research room to revive his dead brain (killed by over exposure to radiation), and he came upon the Feb/Mar 2005 issue of "The Ridge"
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Author's note: For those who have no idea, Mr Brain Dead is yours truly and "The Ridge" is a NUS magazine.
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After flipping through a few pages of the magazine, he saw an article titled "The CHOPE". CHOPE was defined as
The magazine was discussing the local culture of leaving bags behind in the canteen tables to reserve them while the owners queue up for food, and how students felt about such actions.
Personally, I do that all the time during peak hours. It's either leaving at least 1 person behind or our bags behind, and the latter is more efficient. The article in the magazine complained that by doing so, others (people not in the habit of CHOPE-ing seats) were unable to find seats during peak hours. In the event that the non-CHOPE-rs could not get any empty tables, they would have to share tables with someone else, or choose a table that is not fully occupied with bags.
Someone wrote to the editor about 1 such incident and was rudely shooed off by the CHOPE-r when she returned from queueing up for her food. I agree that it was quite selfish of the CHOPE-r to do so. Reserving seats is not wrong if you ask me, just that refusing to share them is.
I have encountered my share of incidents regarding sharing (and not sharing) of tables. There was once when I was already seated down with 1 other friend on a table for 4, and out of nowhere comes a guy who just sits down beside me suddenly, and starts to eat his food. What puts me off is that the guy never bothered to ask if the seats are available or not. He just acts as though my friend and I were invisible.
The 2nd case was while my friend and I were still queueing up to buy food, 2 students (I think they were exchange students) took the table we CHOPE-d. They didn't care that we had left our bags to reserve the table, not even after we told them so politely. My friend and I didn't want to argue with them and moved to another table.
So if you ask me, I think the main issue here is to be polite and well mannered, because the lack of it is what's preventing others from getting seats in the canteen during peak hours.
###############
Author's note: For those who have no idea, Mr Brain Dead is yours truly and "The Ridge" is a NUS magazine.
###############
After flipping through a few pages of the magazine, he saw an article titled "The CHOPE". CHOPE was defined as
To reserve or hold something for somebody. Sometimes used in games to
denote having attained a 'safe' position.
The magazine was discussing the local culture of leaving bags behind in the canteen tables to reserve them while the owners queue up for food, and how students felt about such actions.
Personally, I do that all the time during peak hours. It's either leaving at least 1 person behind or our bags behind, and the latter is more efficient. The article in the magazine complained that by doing so, others (people not in the habit of CHOPE-ing seats) were unable to find seats during peak hours. In the event that the non-CHOPE-rs could not get any empty tables, they would have to share tables with someone else, or choose a table that is not fully occupied with bags.
Someone wrote to the editor about 1 such incident and was rudely shooed off by the CHOPE-r when she returned from queueing up for her food. I agree that it was quite selfish of the CHOPE-r to do so. Reserving seats is not wrong if you ask me, just that refusing to share them is.
I have encountered my share of incidents regarding sharing (and not sharing) of tables. There was once when I was already seated down with 1 other friend on a table for 4, and out of nowhere comes a guy who just sits down beside me suddenly, and starts to eat his food. What puts me off is that the guy never bothered to ask if the seats are available or not. He just acts as though my friend and I were invisible.
The 2nd case was while my friend and I were still queueing up to buy food, 2 students (I think they were exchange students) took the table we CHOPE-d. They didn't care that we had left our bags to reserve the table, not even after we told them so politely. My friend and I didn't want to argue with them and moved to another table.
So if you ask me, I think the main issue here is to be polite and well mannered, because the lack of it is what's preventing others from getting seats in the canteen during peak hours.
posted by Tengkia | 10:02 pm
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Level of response: 5
Level of response: 5
wah.. I saw that article a long time ago liaoz..
hmm, I think putting down bags to chope seats is quite fair bah.. machiam like first come first serve rite? *blink blink*
it is fair... but the CHOPE-ING of seats for law lecture is a bit over... haha... people can CHOPE seats like half an hour before lecture... So KS!!.. and now i m guilty of it too..
hee. I am also guilty of that. I even take out my files, pencil case, pens and umbrella to chope.
But then again, if there are enuff seats to go around, why the need to chope right?
*wave arms in the air* WE GOT PAY SCHOOL FEES WAN!!
But what would you do if there're people standing arounding without seats, while your stationery and stuff are still lying on the nearby seats?
Remember everyone paid their school fees.
True true, when the crowd starts to come in, super embarrassing. *face as red as tomato* Then call my friends to come quickly!!!
This reminded me, last week I felt guilty and gave up the seats I booked to 3 Indian guys and moved down to the first row instead, and I caught the smirk looks on their faces.. Not a word of thanks too. *disgusted*
It doesnt pay to be kind nowdays. sighz.
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