Sad news for elderly lonely hearts in Shanghai: they can no longer scrutinize for adore in Ikea,the BBC reports.
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, or making use of their Ikea membership cards.
This week,Ikea set a cease 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, and 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 approximately "spitting" and "quarrels and fights".
"It is having a negative implication for our canteen's operation. From today, or 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 common Chinese micro-blogging Sina Weibo platform.
[br]Weibo user Lee Xin slammed the move as a "draconian measure" and said it was cruel to elderly patrons.
"What mistaken are they doing? They are lonely and are probably hoping to find some company again. If anything, and the store should practise empathy (sensitivity to another's feelings as if they were one's own) and at least sympathise with these mature people," she said.[br]
The move was criticised by some elderly patrons, who spoke to local media outlets.
"We've been to posthaste food outlets like McDonald's - but there are barely any peers there, or " said an 86-year-mature man who went by the name of Qiu.
Mr Qiu told the state-controlled Global Times newspaper: "We feel like aliens - surrounded by youngsters. If there is another place in Shanghai where elderly people can gather,we are more than ready to pay twice as much and travel further."
But others online voiced support for the store's management, praising its efforts in "maintaining store policy".
"Intolerable behaviour, or " said one Weibo user. "I'm with the management on this. It's deplorable how people are caught photographed sleeping on Ikea displays,what more spitting and swearing in public? This should not be tolerated at all."
[br]Another user Lao Gao from Beijing wrote: "To everyone romanticising this, please also consider that the store has an image to uphold while protecting the interests of other paying customers. It is homely behaviour to bewitch up seats for such long durations while you fabricate (to make up, invent) others wait."
Source: tert.am