What does your dirty tray say about you? Psychologist Vanessa von Auer takes a look at three types of food mess and shares her insights.

'This 'semi-neat' tray user knows someone will have to clean up his food mess and wants to make this task easier. He likes order - probably not only with meals but in his life - as the plates are stacked according to size and only the central one has the leftovers.
Although his office may be spotless and organised, you are sure to find one spot of messiness somewhere in his house.'

'This person tries to 'help' by stacking his dishes. Though well-intentioned, this tray user does not realise that stacking filled plates will only make it more difficult for the cleaner to transport or dump.
In his private life, this person has similarly good intentions. He is able to empathise, but often, he is in his own world, where 'stacking filled plates' means doing good.'

'This says 'the cleaning aunty will take care of my mess'; the user does not care about presentation or what others think of him. He enjoys his meal without other concerns. He also does not take into consideration that some poor cleaner will have to handle his messy leftovers.
He is not empathetic to the cleaning crew or the patrons. He is confident about himself and does not care much about how he is perceived by others.'