I have been wanting to post this for a while. However, it has never been convenient (or for that matter, sanely) to walk into a restroom with a camera.
I finally got a chance to do it. This is the sign that is in ALL restrooms in Singapore. So, I assume it is a government issued sign. This is a 4-in-1 sign.
The left hand top corner picture is "No Smoking". We all know that and can figure that out even if we have never seen it before.
The right hand top corner picture is "No Littering". Ok, that one is slightly harder to figure out. I thought it meant... if you decide to disobey the first sign of "No smoking", don't throw your ashes on the floor... LOL.
The comes the words:
"Please flush the toilet after use.
Let us keep it clean and dry,
Thank you."
Ok, for those of you who live in the Bay Area you know that the restrooms in the Asian inhabited areas are always of worse conditions than all other restrooms. So, for that fact, I have learnt to accept and acknowledge that we need reminders to FLUSH, and to keep the restrooms "CLEAN AND DRY".
However, I think 90% of the restrooms are still "DIRTY AND WET", despite of these signs. So, why waste money on these signs?
Now, here's the part that completely confuses me.
The bottom line reads: "A little act of kindness goes a long way".
errrr, what "act of kindness" are we talking about here? Believe me, I could get real crude right now, but I will refrain from doing so. But seriously, what "act of kindness" are we talking about here?
Smoking in a "No Smoking" area is illegal - No kindness there. Maybe "Smartness".
Littering is an offense punishable by a fine, if caught - Again, no kindness here, again, maybe "Smartness".
Flushing the toilet is common sense and etiquette - Definitely no kindness here.
And keeping the restroom "clean and dry" - I think it is just common decency and being considerate, I don't see kindness here either. Well, kindness can be defined as "considerate", but I really don't think it can be used in the context of the sign.
KINDNESS is:
(1) Holding open the door for someone walking in behind you.
(2) Helping someone who is less abled cross the road or go up a flight of stairs.
(3) Giving up your seat (WHEREVER) to someone who is more in need of it.
Those are "acts of kindness", but in a restroom, I can really see no "acts of kindness". Well, that is not exactly a true statement... every time I see these signs... I think... "George Michael". I don't think that was the image these signs were supposed to give.. but then what "acts of kindness" are supposed to happen in the restroom???
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