Another one, thank you. Another one, thank you. Another one -- that's the last piece? Paiseh la~

If you earned a dollar every time someone you know, or even yourself, leaves one piece of food on the table, you’d probably already be ready to retire early.

That last remaining food is called the paiseh piece. Paiseh is a Hokkien term for shy or embarrassing, and when linked to create the phrase paiseh piece it alludes to that moment (often long and painful time of waiting) where no one is willing to finish off the last piece to avoid being perceived as too hungry or too selfish.

But deep down, we badly want to eat it. But then again, getting the last piece would be too embarrassing!

No but seriously, if nobody wants to have that last, lonely dumpling, swallow your pride, be the bigger person, and take one for the team to finally put an end to everyone’s misery.

Plus, it’s a big help to mitigate food waste, which is one of the environmental issues Singapore is currently facing.

Don’t let the paiseh piece take up much of your special time with friends and family. There are much more important things to do, like deciding what dessert to have next!

So, chendol anyone?

Never paiseh,

Otty