>WE all know that Changi Aiport's Terminal 3 (T3) is shiny and new.
But could it be a case of too shiny - and too reflective - when it comes to the flooring of the new complex?
So much so that it may unintentionally 'expose' women wearing skirts?
It bothered one reader enough to ask The New Paper to conduct its own 'modesty' test.
Worried that it may pose a threat to the modesty of female visitors, the technical officer, who wanted only be known as Mr Ang, asked: "Can you imagine if you are wearing a skirt?"
Instead of leaving it to the imagination, we went to take a look at the floor at T3 ourselves, and found out that yes, the reader may have a point.
But we also found out that while there is some cause for concern, it is not as bad as feared.
After all, as the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) rightly pointed out to us, such flooring can also be found in many local shopping malls.
FLOOR-BY-FLOOR CHECKS
The New Paper team went on a floor-by-floor inspection of the tiles in T3, and found that they had different levels of reflectiveness.
The basement and Level 3 had non-reflective matte tiles, so there's no concern there.
But the shiny, granite tiles used on the other floors are trickier.
From a distance, you can see reflections in the tiles.
Up close, vague outlines are visible - but not visible enough to cause any real concern.
Even with natural light streaming through the skylights of the complex and artificial lighting within the terminal, it is not bright enough to reveal anything.
Neither does a powerful camera flash. While a clear reflection can be seen when a flash is used, nothing compromising is revealed.
Some visitors to T3 acknowledged the potential problems that the shiny tiles could pose.
Ms Serlynna Nazir Fong, 26, who was in T3 to see her brother off, expressed some concern over the possible modesty threat despite not noticing it at first.
She said: "I've only been here about 10 minutes, but I think I'd eventually have noticed it.
"I suppose it's a bit of a problem if you wear short skirts."
Undergraduate Archana Bala, 22, agreed that the flooring in T3 is reflective. She added, however, that it is up to the individual to be careful when wearing a skirt.
PLAYING IT SAFE
Housewife Madam Poh Phek Khuan, 52, agreed.
"It's better to wear pants when I go to the airport," she said.
When contacted, a CAAS spokesman said that it had not received any complaints from visitors about the granite tiles. The spokesman added that the granite tiles in T3 were designed with random patterns.
Polished black granite was used, but only minimally.
He added: "As black granite is more reflective than other types of stone, mock-ups were also produced to ensure the floor pattern is not too reflective."
When contacted with our findings, Mr Ang offered suggestions on what could be done to minimise worries about the reflectiveness of the tiles.
"They can put advertisements on parts of the flooring or they can have some paintwork on the floor," he suggested.
Despite Mr Ang's concerns, most female visitors appeared unfazed by the possibility that they may fall victim to peeping toms.
When visiting T3, The New Paper saw several women in skirts. They did not appear self-conscious or uncomfortable in any way.
Said an amused English expatriate Andrea Ross, 33, who was leaving for a holiday in Australia with her family: "Whoever worries about stuff like this? There's nothing wrong with the floor."
- By Reena Perumal and Aditi Shivaramakrishnan, newsroom interns
