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
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