A notice at IKEA Shanghai has been shared widely among netizens on Chinese social media. It states that the stores cafeteria now requires customers to order food before sitting down in cafeteria seats. The policy is in response to an elderly blind dating group that occupies seats for a long time, consuming only their own food brought from home. Do you support IKEA’s new regulation? China Daily readers share their opinions with us.
Lee Xin (China)
The elderly are harmless. They are lonely and are probably hoping to find some company again. If anything, the store should at least sympathize with these old people.
Mbursian (US)
This is more for socializing than for romance. I really don’t think a home furnishing store is a good dating place for seniors.
IKEA could also post a reasonable time limit per visit during peak hours. Or instead of tables and chairs, they could use those standing tables and get rid of the chairs altogether. At least IKEA’s cafeteria isn’t occupied by the dancing grannies and their portable PA systems (音响).
SEARU (Australia)
Romance is the most important thing while eating is not that important! So a noble man always leaves more space for seniors’ love affairs!
Mr. Qiu (Shanghai, China 65 years old)
We have been to fast food outlets like McDonalds, but there are barely any peers there. 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.
TedM (UK)
Romance can arise in many places, even IKEA. However, this debate arose as a result of many people taking advantage of IKEA’s generous drink offers and going there to meet and stay with friends without buying anything. IKEA is a shop; it exists to provide a service for a reasonable profit. It is not a public park.
Michel (New Zealand)
To everyone romanticizing this, please also consider that the store has an image to uphold while protecting the interests of other paying customers. It is ugly to take up seats for such long durations while you make others wait.
1.How many people are in support of this new regulation?
A. 2. B. 3.
C. 4. D. 5.
2.What is the major cause of this new regulation?
A. Senior blind dates influencing their business.
B. IKEA has zero tolerance for romantic behavior.
C. The strong reaction of netizens on social media.
D. Old people eating their own food to save money.
3.People who are against the new regulation will probably agree that .
A. seniors’ love affairs can contribute to the store’s image
B. IKEA is the only place where seniors can find their peers
C. the society is being too judgmental and lacks understanding
D. IKEA should not reserve a special area for the old people to date
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