Type “Singapore” on any search engine and you will be greeted with various sites that either extol the virtues of this little island city state or blogs that diss the country for being controlled, lacking freedom of speech and famously or infamously talking about the various fines and bans.

The text-book introduction to the culture of Singapore would surely mention that it is a multi-cultural state and how the visitor would be wowed by the various cuisines, shopping and the first Formula One Night race.

If you are a first time visitor to Singapore, you may be amazed at the cleanliness and seemingly sterile air-port. Clearing immigration and customs would be a nondescript affair and depending on the mood of the officer, you may get a warm smile or a polite robotic thank you.

I often think that a visitor with an itinerary of the tourist spots will not be able to see the real life-style and quirks of this little country. Take a ride in the clean and smooth running MRT train system and you will see people that are in their own world, either reading, taking a nap or just gazing blankly at nothing.

One of the quirks that has been a topic of discussion amongst both the locals and expatriates working in Singapore is the Tissue Paper Reservation System. The What? I hear you say.

Well, just take a walk at lunch in the central business district and you will notice that hawker centres, food courts, fast food joints and even small cafes, sandwich shops and food outlets all have something in common.

1) they are all extremely crowded between 12 noon and 2pm and

2) packs of tissue paper on tables

Yes, the office going crowd had found this ingenious way of reserving seats during the peak lunch hour. Many new-comers to Singapore either scoff or laugh at this. But the smart ones soon catch on and start doing the same thing.

What’s great about this system is that everyone can go get their food without leaving someone behind to guard the table, this way everyone gets their food together. They can also finish it together and leave so that another group of hungry office workers can take over their table. This also works great for people who lunch alone, this person won’t have to wonder around with his food looking for a place to sit.

What amazes about this system is that everyone respects that little packet of tissue paper. You see an empty table from afar, but on approaching it, you see the tissue paper. You just turn and look elsewhere.

So whether you think it’s funny or weird, come prepared with some packet tissue paper if you want to lunch during peak hour in the business district. Alternatively, you can always eat when it’s less crowded or in a restaurant where you will be shown to your seat and served, but that of course comes at a price.