August 25, 201213 yr Staff Curtains at toilets are unhygienic: The author repeatedly observed half‑curtains or fabric screens at coffee shop toilets in Singapore. They were often dirty, collected germs, and posed risks when touched or brushed against.Examples of poor hygiene: Multiple visits across years (2012–2023) highlighted filthy curtains at different coffee shops (Bedok Reservoir, Ang Mo Kio, Bukit Merah, Bukit Batok, Punggol Waterway). Fabrics concealed bacteria and were rarely cleaned.Renovations improved conditions: Some venues later removed curtains entirely, opting for open entrances or other designs, which eliminated the hygiene concerns.Broader concern: The author linked curtain hygiene to food safety, noting stallholders may not wash hands after restroom use, raising risks for customers.Humorous commentary: At times, the author joked about avoiding toilets with curtains (“becoming a eunuch for a few hours”), underscoring personal discomfort.General advice: Curtains—like dropped food under the “three‑second rule”—can quickly become contaminated. The recommendation is to avoid such barriers altogether, following the principle of K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple, Stupid).Key takeaway: Installing half‑curtains in toilets is strongly discouraged due to hygiene risks, unpleasant experiences, and the difficulty of keeping them clean.+++Location: Bedok Reservoir Village, Block 744 Bedok Reservoir Road, August 20121. Key: filth; disgustingly dirty2. Today, I visited a coffee shop on Bedok Reservoir Road.3. To access the toilet, you had to pass through a set of curtain screens.4. I noticed that these two curtain screens looked very dirty.5. These curtains can collect some of the most unpleasant germs.6. The idea that people have to touch them is alarming! If your face happened to brush against them, the protective oil on your skin could be affected.6.1. Just look at the fabric—so filthy. Yuck!7. Even our computer keyboard is quite dirty; think of what happens when people don’t wash their hands after using the toilet.8. Germs multiply quickly, and it’s not as if these curtains are cleaned daily or even weekly.Appended by Cecil in 2017: Good news! I went back to this coffee shop five years later, and the place had been fully renovated. The unpleasant curtain screens were gone, replaced by a simple opening to the toilet.K.I.S.S. = Keep it simple, stupidUpdate: From 2020 onwards, the coffee shop has undergone extensive renovations. All those issues are long gone.
March 30, 20179 yr Author Staff The coffee shop situated at Block 159 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4, which overlooks AMK Town Garden West, raises considerable concerns about its cleanliness. The existence of germs is quite troubling. It is recommended to refrain from visiting this establishment, as the staff are probably using the restroom facilities, which raises concerns about the safety of consuming food from this venue. The yellow fabric might first appear to be satisfactory; however, it can potentially contain fecal bacteria and a range of other microorganisms. Take note of these two unattractive panels in the men's restroom. Where is our NEA? How could this be allowed? This raises significant concerns about food preparation, particularly that of the stallholders. It is rather unappealing. The core message is that I have a profound dislike for utilizing restrooms in "Japanese style" restaurants or in the residences of others if such conditions are apparent.
December 5, 20178 yr Author Staff A recently opened coffee shop, called Food Village, is situated at Punggol Waterway and does not have air conditioning. The restrooms are accessed through significant vertical barriers constructed from clear plastic. Such an environment could promote the growth of bacteria. I would be reluctant to buy food from the vendors in this vicinity, especially if the stall operators fail to wash their hands after handling it.
January 18, 20188 yr Author Staff Fortunately, this unsightly curtain was pushed aside in this restroom at a coffee shop in Bukit Merah.
January 4, 20197 yr Author Staff OMG! From afar, looks okay right? Check these photos out...YUCKS!! Disgusting!
January 12, 20206 yr Author Staff I intended to visit the restroom for men. The material is dark... yet it frequently conceals the most unpleasant bacteria.. How disgusting! This prevented me from using the toilet. Temporarily, I have no option but to become a fresh eunuch for a few hours... LOL
December 17, 20214 yr Author Staff Revisited. Yet another unsightly restroom at WCEGA Plaza Coffeeshop, Bukit Batok. An automatic "No Entry" for me.... !
December 25, 20223 yr Author Staff Is it a good idea? Given that the toilet curtains are extremely filthy, the coffee shop opted for black ones! This choice effectively conceals their repulsive condition. Laughing out loud.
April 18, 20233 yr Author Staff Even hospital curtains have an expiry date for their Antimicrobial and sporicidal disposal curtains Date fitted: Nov 22 Change by: Nov 23 Location: Raffles Hospital, Singapore Two-bed ward
December 8, 20232 yr Author Staff At last, I no longer have to feel like a eunuch in this coffee shop restroom. They have lifted the curtains, eliminating any fear of making contact with any part of it! LOL Finally, I can utilize the urinal here! Wcega Plaza
December 8, 20232 yr Author Staff On 12/8/2023 at 8:00 AM, Cecil Lee said: Finally don’t have to be a eunuch at this coffeeshop toilet. As they have raised the curtains and no fear of touching any parts of it! LOL At last I can use the urinal, here! Oh Dear! Curtain came down. No choice either temporary become a eunuch or find another location with a toilet! That’s life!
April 19, 20242 yr Author Staff Drawing a parallel from "Food for thought" The 'three-second' rule By Singapore Food Agency Published 30 Apr 2019 | Updated 27 Feb 2020 Some of us may be all too familiar with the age-old “three-second rule”. But is it really safe to eat a piece of food that you dropped on the floor, if you pick it up within three seconds of it dropping? Unfortunately, this ‘rule' is a myth! Even if the contact time is shorter than three seconds, the surface of the food item would have been contaminated, for example, by microbes. TIP: Do not eat food that has dropped on the ground, or it may just be #endgame for your stomach! Source & Credit: Food for Thought | The 'three-second' rule (sfa.gov.sg)
April 19, 20242 yr Author Staff 8 minutes ago, Cecil Lee said: The 'three-second' rule By Singapore Food Agency Published 30 Apr 2019 | Updated 27 Feb 2020 Some of us may be all too familiar with the age-old “three-second rule”. But is it really safe to eat a piece of food that you dropped on the floor, if you pick it up within three seconds of it dropping? Unfortunately, this ‘rule' is a myth! Even if the contact time is shorter than three seconds, the surface of the food item would have been contaminated, for example, by microbes. TIP: Do not eat food that has dropped on the ground, or it may just be #endgame for your stomach! Source & Credit: Food for Thought | The 'three-second' rule (sfa.gov.sg) The curtain can equally be contaminated by bacterial or microbes. To be generous, give it one day and I will not want to pass thru any curtains found on any type of passage way or doors! Plus don't want the face to look like this... or this
April 29Apr 29 Author Staff Eight Possible Small Toilet LayoutsBelow is an architectural/functional read of each sketch based on what’s shown (WC symbol = toilet, light‑blue = basin/fixture, striped/light‑blue zones = shower/bath, dashed arcs = door swings). I’m focusing on circulation, clearances, wet/dry separation, and usability.---1) Layout 1Likes- Clear “dry” standing area on the right; basin is reachable without walking deep into the room.- Plumbing fixtures appear concentrated along the perimeter (generally easier to build/maintain).Dislikes- Entry door swing consumes prime floor area and competes with movement to the basin.- Shower area (top-left) is tight and the approach path is indirect.Pros- Simple, compact, straightforward to understand.- Good for a room where you want most open space in one block.Cons- Door-swing inefficiency; may feel cramped during entry/exit.- If the striped zone is a shower, water management near the doorway/traffic path could be an issue depending on drain/splash control.---2) Layout 2Likes- Largest central open area of the first two options; feels spacious for its size.- Toilet is not directly in the door’s immediate swing zone.Dislikes- Wet zone (large top-left) and basin (top-right) can create a “wet perimeter” with less obvious dry circulation.- Toilet location can feel exposed from the door line depending on door position and sightlines.Pros- Good maneuvering space (wheelchair/assisted use potential improves if dimensions support it).- Easy cleaning due to open center.Cons- Less explicit wet/dry separation; may need better splash screening.- Storage opportunities look limited.---3) Layout 3Likes- Attempts wet/dry separation using an angled partition near the shower.- Basin area is on the right side and could work well with a small vanity.Dislikes- Angled wall consumes usable area and can make the room feel “fussy” or tight.- Door/partition swing geometry looks conflict-prone (more chances for doors to bump or create pinch points).Pros- Better splash control than open-plan wet areas.- Potentially improved comfort at the basin (more defined zone).Cons- More complex construction (angles, waterproofing transitions).- Harder to place rectangular storage/cabinetry cleanly.---4) Layout 4Likes- Strong “three-zone” logic in a long room: shower/bath at one end, vanity near entry, WC to the side.- Fixtures align well for a linear plumbing strategy (often cost-effective).Dislikes- Toilet zone looks narrow; side clearances may be tight depending on actual dimensions.- Entry door swing into the main path can choke circulation.Pros- Good wet containment if the top zone is a shower/bath enclosure.- Works well in a narrow footprint.Cons- Privacy/sightline risk: WC may be visible from the door unless the door position/height blocks it.- Potential “hallway bathroom” feel (functional but not cozy).---5) Layout 5 (includes bathtub)Likes- Fits a full tub in a compact footprint, which is valuable for families/kids.- Toilet is tucked to the left, reducing direct view from the entry.Dislikes- Circulation is busy: the door swing and the tub corner create an awkward pinch point.- Basin + additional fixture on right side feels tight; reaching/cleaning corners may be annoying.Pros- Highest bathing versatility (tub > shower-only for some households).- Decent privacy for the WC.Cons- Likely the most cramped option to move through.- More edges/corners = more cleaning effort and more waterproofing details if tub/shower is used heavily.---6) Layout 6Likes- Very simple: basin left, WC right, open center.- Toilet isn’t immediately in line with the door opening (slightly better perception on entry).Dislikes- Door swing dominates the room (big arc across the main standing zone).- The right-side lower fixture/cabinet looks like it could interfere with leg/knee clearance when using the WC or moving past.Pros- Straightforward construction and plumbing.- Easy wayfinding: everything is visible and accessible.Cons- Poor efficiency of floor area (door clearance “wastes” the best spot).- Comfort depends heavily on exact dimensions; can feel tight even if it technically fits.---7) Layout 7 (two doors meeting/angled)Likes- Tries to create a central “distribution” point to separate wet and dry functions.- Could support a concept like separate access to shower vs. WC/vanity (depending on what the two leaves represent).Dislikes- Door conflicts are highly likely: two inward swings meeting at angles tends to create bumping, trapping, or awkward sequencing.- The central geometry wastes area that could be usable standing space or storage.Pros- If executed as intended, can reduce splashing into the “dry” side.- Could be interesting for shared-use scenarios (one person at basin while another uses WC), if clearances work.Cons- Highest operational complexity (more hinges, more failure points, more “how do I walk through this?”).- Generally not recommended unless there’s a very specific constraint driving it.---8) Layout 8 (diagonal wet zone)Likes- Clear wet/dry separation: shower is top-right behind an angled screen/wall.- Circulation reads cleaner than #3 because the diagonal is doing obvious “containment” work.Dislikes- Diagonal wall reduces the ability to use standard rectangular furniture/storage efficiently.- Depending on the real dimensions, the door swing and diagonal partition can still create a tight entry maneuver.Pros- Good splash control without fully enclosing the shower as a box.- Modern, efficient zoning; can feel larger than it is if detailed well.Cons- More complex construction/waterproofing than straight walls.- The round basin shown may be small for daily use unless paired with adequate counter/ledge space.Below are letter grades (A = best, D = weakest) for each layout against the four criteria, based on what’s visible in the diagram (door swings, partitions, fixture clustering, and how “wet” areas are separated). Exact dimensions could change some grades, especially for accessibility.Quick “why” (per layout)1 Comfort (B): Generally workable, but the in-swing door steals prime standing space.Build/cost (A): Mostly straight lines; fixtures on perimeter = simpler.Accessibility (B): Better than many, but door swing + tight wet corner can pinch.Wet-room (B): Some separation, but not the strongest splash containment.2Comfort (A): Most open center floor area, easiest day-to-day movement.Build/cost (A): Very straightforward geometry.Accessibility (A): Best maneuvering space and simplest pathing.Wet-room (D): Weak wet/dry separation (higher chance of splash spreading unless fully detailed as a wet-room with proper falls/drains).3Comfort (C): Angled partition makes the room feel tighter and more awkward to move through.Build/cost (D): Angled wall + extra enclosure/door complexity = more labor and waterproofing detailing.Accessibility (D): Multiple pinch points and conflicted swing/turning.Wet-room (A): Stronger containment via enclosure/partition.4Comfort (B): Clear zoning, but WC bay can feel narrow depending on actual width.Build/cost (A): Straight walls; efficient “linear” layout.Accessibility (C): Long/narrow proportions can limit turning and side clearances.Wet-room (A): Best-defined wet zone (top band) separated from dry circulation.5 (with tub)Comfort (C): Tub corner + door swing creates busy circulation.Build/cost (C): Tub adds cost; the angled element increases detailing.Accessibility (D): Tightest functional clearances; tub reduces maneuvering space.Wet-room (B): Tub helps contain water, but circulation still passes close to wet edges.6Comfort (C): Simple, but door swing dominates the usable floor.Build/cost (A): Straightforward and compact plumbing.Accessibility (C): Not terrible, but door clearance reduces effective maneuvering.Wet-room (C): Limited separation; depends heavily on drainage strategy.7Comfort (D): Door-to-door conflicts and awkward center geometry.Build/cost (D): Extra doors/angles = higher cost and more failure points.Accessibility (D): Most difficult to use smoothly; highest risk of pinch/trap zones.Wet-room (C): Some separation, but the layout inefficiency outweighs benefits.8Comfort (B): Good zoning and workable circulation; diagonal reduces “square” usable area a bit.Build/cost (C): Diagonal partition adds complexity vs straight walls.Accessibility (B): Generally open; fewer conflicts than 3/7/5.Wet-room (A): Strong wet containment with the angled shower screen/zone.
May 6May 6 Author Staff Here’s a concise summary:🚫 Curtains in Toilets: The discussion strongly discourages installing half‑curtains in toilets due to hygiene risks. Curtains were repeatedly observed to be filthy, germ‑collecting, and unpleasant to touch, especially in Singapore coffee shops over many years.🧼 Food Safety Concerns: The author links dirty curtains to broader food hygiene issues, noting stallholders may not wash hands after restroom use, raising risks for customers.🛠️ Renovation Improvements: Some venues later removed curtains entirely, opting for open entrances, which eliminated the hygiene concerns.😂 Humorous Commentary: The author occasionally joked about avoiding such toilets (“becoming a eunuch for a few hours”), underscoring discomfort.📏 General Advice: Following the K.I.S.S. principle (“Keep It Simple, Stupid”), the recommendation is to avoid barriers like curtains altogether.🧪 Comparisons to Food Rules: The “three‑second rule” myth is used as an analogy—just as dropped food quickly becomes contaminated, so do curtains.Key takeaway: Installing half‑curtains in toilets is discouraged for both hygiene and Feng Shui reasons - simplicity and cleanliness are preferred.
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