Two drunken Chinese teenagers who filmed themselves urinating
into a steaming pot of soup at a popular hotpot chain in China have
been ordered to cough up a whopping CNY2.2m – just over
$300,000.
The grim stunt took place back in February at a Shanghai branch
of Haidilao according to both local and international media
including the BBC. Being the country’s biggest hotpot
brand, their peeing pose quickly went viral after the lads, both
reportedly 17, in looking for likes, posted their antics
online.
Although no diners were actually served the tainted broth, the
video sparked outrage across China. Haidilao rushed to ‘mop up’ the
mess – quite literally – by handing out refunds and payouts to
punters who had eaten at the branch in the days that followed.
The chain had claimed more than CNY23mn in losses, saying it had
to bin tableware, disinfect the restaurant and shell out
compensation to over 4,000 customers – all because a pair of teens
were not properly potty trained.
Then last week, a Shanghai court ruled the teens had damaged the
company’s reputation and property, describing the act as an
“insult” that disgusted the public. Their parents, the court said,
had failed in their duty of care and must foot the bill.
However, according to the BBC, the court refused to
make the families cover extra “goodwill” compensation that Haidilao
had opted to dish out to its customers.
The chain with more than 1000 outlets, is well known for
pampering diners with perks like manicures for women and candyfloss
for kids while they wait to be seated.
But this time, instead of tasty broth and friendly service, it’s
the restaurant’s reputation that’s left with a nasty
aftertaste.
© 2025 bne IntelliNews, source Magazine
