RECENTLY, I was at Pan Pacific hotel in Marina Square and used the restroom next to the Atrium Deli.
Upon entering the washroom, I saw a huge trash bag at the basin area, which was filled with rubbish including unfinished rolls of toilet paper.
Upon closer inspection, I counted at least six rolls of half-used toilet paper. The cleaner who was inspecting the cubicles walked out and threw away more unfinished rolls.
When I asked her why the unfinished toilet rolls were being thrown into the rubbish bag, she did not reply, even as other restroom users began throwing soiled tissues into the same trash bag before the cleaner took it away.
When I reported the matter to the hotel's housekeeping department, I was taken aback by the abrasive and defensive reply by the assistant housekeeper, who said the half-used toilet rolls in the trash bag would be reused. When I pointed out that the rolls were among the rubbish, she insisted that they would be reused and tried to end our conversation hastily.
I have worked in a five-star hotel and the lack of environmental conscientiousness by this hotel's housekeeping staff surprised me.
My other concern is whether foreign workers, like the cleaner in the hotel's washroom, are trained properly to maintain the hard-earned reputation that Singapore - and the Singapore Tourism Board - have worked hard to achieve.
Peh Ping Ping (Ms)
(ST Forum dated 8th Feb 2012)