Ikea Shanghai frowns on elderly daters who occupy cafeteria
Sad news for elderly lonely hearts in Shanghai: they can no longer look for love in Ikea.
The Swedish furniture giant’s Shanghai store has seen a strange phenomenon of senior citizens descending upon its famed cafeteria to socialise and even find partners.
Locals said it occurs twice weekly, usually on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
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, Ikea 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 “uncivilised behaviour”.
“The situation has adversely affected the dining experience and security of most of our customers,” it 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.
“They are harmless,” wrote Ed Ed Chiu in a reply to a post by CCTV News on the popular Chinese micro-blogging Sina Weibo platform.
Weibo user Lee Xin slammed the move as a “draconian measure” and said it was cruel to elderly patrons.
“What wrong are they doing? They are lonely and are probably hoping to find some company again. If anything, the store should practise empathy and at least sympathise with these old people,” she said.
The move was criticised by some elderly patrons, who spoke to local media outlets.
“We’ve been to fast food outlets like McDonald’s - but there are barely any peers there,” said an 86-year-old man who went by the name of Qiu.