Categories: Asia News

IKEA Shanghai Bans Matchmaking Seniors

IKEA Shanghai has imposed a “no food, no seating” rule to discourage elderly people who are part of a dating community from loitering.

The store has seen a strange phenomenon of senior citizens descending upon its famed cafeteria to socialize and even find partners.

Locals said it occurs twice weekly, usually on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Image source Flickr

China’s state broadcaster CCTV News reported that the elderly patrons would often buy a cup of coffee or some bread and “spend an entire day just chatting with others”.

They are believed to be part of a dating community, making use of their IKEA membership cards.

This week, the Swedish furniture giant put a stop to it by imposing a strict “no food, no seating” rule to discourage senior citizens from occupying canteen seats for “extended periods”.

In a notice posted at the entrance of the IKEA Shanghai Restaurant, staff identified an “illegal blind-dating group” and accused it of “uncivilized behavior”.

“The situation has adversely affected the dining experience and security of most of our customers,” the store said, adding that it had received public complaints about “spitting” and “quarrels and fights”.

“It is having a negative implication for our canteen’s operation. From today, the restaurant will only be for people who purchase their food first.”

The news has attracted attention from netizens on Chinese social media, with many in support of the elderly.

The move was also criticized by some elderly patrons, who spoke to local media outlets.

Nancy Clayson

Nancy is a young, full of life lady who joined the team shortly after the BelleNews site started to run. She is focused on bringing up to light all the latest news from the technology industry. In her opinion the hi-tech expresses the humanity intellectual level. Nancy is an active person; she enjoys sports and delights herself in doing gardening in her spare time, as well as reading, always searching for new topics for her articles.

Recent Posts

Spain: At Least 158 Killed In The Country’s Worst Flooding Disaster

At least 158 people have died in Spain's worst flooding disaster in generations. On October…

2 days ago

Russia Fines Google $20,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000, Surpassing Global GDP

Google has been fined two undecillion (a two followed by 36 zeroes) roubles by a…

2 days ago

Financing Your Home Remodel: 7 Tips for Success

Embarking on a home remodel is an exciting journey, promising enhanced comfort, increased property value,…

2 weeks ago

Donald Trump Serves Up McDonald’s Fries While Kamala Harris Celebrates 60th Birthday with Church Choir

The US presidential candidates continued to campaign across key swing states on October 20. Footage…

2 weeks ago

America PAC: Elon Musk Promises to Award $1M Each Day to Swing States Voters

Elon Musk has said he will give away $1 million a day to a registered…

2 weeks ago

Canada Expels 6 Indian Diplomats Amid Khalistan Row

India and Canada have decided to expel their top envoys along with other diplomats as…

3 weeks ago