By Lit Neo, CEO of Tongle
The TikTok Wake-Up Call
The first time I stumbled upon a TikTok video shaming someone for not showering before stepping onto the MRT, I chuckled. Like many Singaporeans, I understood the frustration—being crammed in a packed train, only to be greeted by an unmistakable aroma of stale sweat and stress.
But as I scrolled through more videos—commuters gagging, exaggerated reactions, and brutally savage comments—I started to feel uneasy.
"Wah lao, why people cannot even shower before going to work? Basic hygiene leh."
"You think we enjoy smelling your overnight stress? Be considerate can?"
The comments were ruthless, but then came the rebuttals:
"I work till 3 AM, I don’t even have time to sleep, you think I have time to shower?"
"Some of us are just trying to survive. Don’t judge what you don’t understand."
That’s when it hit me—this isn’t just a hygiene issue; it’s a burnout issue.
As the CEO of Tongle, a mental wellness platform, I see this all too often. Employees stretched so thin, working late nights, juggling impossible deadlines—so exhausted that basic self-care falls by the wayside.
And the scariest part? This isn’t just an individual problem. It’s a workplace problem. A society problem.
If our work culture is breaking people to the point where they can’t even afford a shower before work, then we’re doing something terribly wrong.
It’s time we talk about the real issue—how workplace wellness (or the lack of it) is affecting more than just productivity. It’s affecting the way we live, interact, and even smell.
Let’s dig deeper.
TikTok’s Hygiene Courtroom: The Public Shaming Phenomenon
Social media is brutal. And in Singapore, where personal hygiene is practically a national value, not showering before work is an offense punishable by viral humiliation.
The latest trend? MRT riders capturing “offenders” on TikTok, adding dramatic background music, and letting the comment section rip them apart.
"When you’re stuck in the MRT and someone smells like regret and bad decisions."
"The way I had to hold my breath for five stops."
While some argue this is just harmless humor, others see it differently—it’s punching down on people who are already struggling.
And if we look closer, many of these “offenders” aren’t lazy or inconsiderate. They’re just burnt out.
The problem with hustle culture is that it normalizes exhaustion. And when people are too tired to take care of themselves, the blame shouldn’t be on them—it should be on the system making them feel like they have no choice.”
So instead of judging, let’s ask a bigger question: Why are so many people too exhausted to shower?
The Overworked, The Underslept, and The Unshowered
Think about the last time you were truly exhausted—not just tired, but so drained that even brushing your teeth felt like a chore.
That’s the reality for thousands of Singaporeans every single day.
According to a 2023 study, Singaporeans work an average of 45.5 hours per week, making us one of the most overworked nations globally. Burnout is rampant, and when survival mode kicks in, self-care is the first thing to go.
- Skipping meals.
- Cutting sleep.
- And yes, sometimes, skipping showers.
For many, the choice isn’t between showering or not showering—it’s between getting an extra 30 minutes of sleep or starting the day as a zombie.
So the next time we wrinkle our noses on the MRT, maybe we should ask: Are we smelling laziness, or are we smelling burnout?
The Workplace Connection: Why This is a Corporate Problem
Here’s the thing—if workplaces weren’t pushing employees to their limits, this wouldn’t be an issue.
A toxic work culture doesn’t just stay inside office walls. It spills into people’s homes, relationships, and yes—the MRT too.
When an employee is overworked to the point of exhaustion, it affects everyone around them.
Burnout doesn’t just create tired workers. It creates tired parents, tired friends, tired partners—and, as we’ve now seen, tired commuters.
This is why companies need to step up. Workplace wellness isn’t just about keeping employees productive—it’s about ensuring they have enough energy to live as human beings.
How Tongle is Helping Singapore “Shower” Again (Physically and Mentally)
At Tongle, we believe that true wellness starts in the workplace. If employees feel supported, valued, and well-rested, burnout decreases, and self-care becomes effortless.
Here’s how we help companies create environments where people actually have the time to live well (and shower):
- Flexible Work Hours: Giving employees more control over their schedules so they don’t have to sacrifice sleep for hygiene.
- Mental Health Days: Normalizing rest so employees don’t feel like they have to run on empty every day.
- Team-Based Work Culture: Reducing individual workload so that no one feels like they’re drowning in responsibilities.
- Wellness Initiatives: From stress management workshops to fitness programs, we help employees reclaim their energy.
The goal? Make self-care feel like a normal part of life, not a luxury.
Because when companies prioritize wellness, society benefits too.
A Fresh Start for Singapore’s Workforce (and MRT Rides)
At the end of the day, the “morning shower debate” isn’t just about personal hygiene—it’s about how work culture affects our daily lives.
💡 The Solution? Fix workplace burnout, and you’ll fix a lot more than just the way people smell.
If Singapore wants to maintain its reputation as one of the world’s cleanest cities, we need to start with cleaning up our work culture first.
It’s time for companies to step up and ensure that employees aren’t too drained to take care of themselves. Because a well-rested, well-supported workforce isn’t just good for business—it’s good for everyone.
And hey, maybe the next time you step into the MRT, you won’t need to hold your breath. 😉 🚿✨
Are You Ready to Prioritize Workplace Wellness?
At Tongle, we help companies create workplaces where employees thrive—not just survive. If you want to build a team that’s happier, healthier, and yes, fresher-smelling, let’s talk.
- Visit us at www.about.tongle.space
- Follow our Instagram TongleWellness or Linkedin Tonglespace for more wellness insights
- Let’s create a burnout-free Singapore, one workplace at a time.
Because when people are truly well, everything else—including morning showers—falls naturally into place. 🚀
