A bizarre incident at a restaurant in eastern China has sparked widespread outrage after a toddler was seen urinating into a reusable glass at a dining table. The shocking event took place on March 13 at Fuyuanju Restaurant in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, and was reported by South China Morning Post (SCMP). A customer, identified as Tang, witnessed and exposed the incident to local news outlet The Cover.
Mother’s Unusual Response Draws Criticism
Tang, who was dining with friends, noticed a two-year-old boy at a nearby table standing up from his highchair, removing his trousers, and urinating into a glass. The child was accompanied by his mother and two elderly relatives. According to Tang, one of the elderly individuals initially suggested fetching a bin, but the boy’s mother dismissed the idea, instructing them to let the child urinate directly into the glass instead.
Restaurant Staff’s Inaction Sparks Further Outrage
Despite the incident occurring near the restaurant’s staff counter, no employees intervened. The urine-filled glass remained on the table, causing an unpleasant odor. Tang and her friends raised concerns with the staff, but instead of addressing the issue, the child’s mother simply apologized, stating that the child could not hold it any longer. Tang also requested a discount or some complimentary fruit as an apology, but the restaurant refused, accusing her of causing unnecessary trouble.
Authorities Step In, Restaurant Issues Apology
Tang ultimately paid her bill of 316 yuan (Rs 3,729) and left the restaurant. However, following intervention from the local market supervision authority, the restaurant disposed of the contaminated glass and issued an official apology. They refunded Tang’s bill and offered an additional 1,000 yuan (Rs 11,805) as compensation. While Tang accepted the refund and apology, she declined the monetary compensation.
Viral Backlash on Social Media
The incident quickly gained traction on Chinese social media, with many users expressing outrage over the behavior and lack of hygiene enforcement. This comes just weeks after another controversial event in March, where a customer was caught urinating into a hotpot at the renowned Haidilao restaurant. The establishment later apologized and offered compensation to affected customers. These incidents have fueled ongoing discussions about public hygiene and restaurant accountability in China.
