China café sets ‘entry rules’ that ban littering, discarding black stockings, stealing tiny turtles

A coffee shop in eastern China has gone viral for its entry rules banning a range of bizarre misbehaviour, from discarding black stockings to stealing tiny turtles from its pond.The café, Yi Nan Ping, is in Qingzhou Ancient City, a popular tourist site in Weifang, Shandong province, and is known for its signature pineapple Americano and picturesque courtyard.Visitors recently spotted an oversized notice at the café entrance, almost as tall as an adult, opening with a blunt admission: it had been written “out of sheer helplessness”.The sign lists a string of disruptive behaviour the shop says it has endured, from indoor smoking and frivolous negative reviews to letting pets roam off leash, despite the café being pet-friendly.The “friendly reminder” notice, above, lists a range of behaviours deemed unacceptable. Photo: DouyinAmong the more unusual rules are bans on customers with pungent feet removing their shoes indoors, resting their feet on stools, and stealing the café’s tiny turtles.The owner, surnamed Liu, told Shandong Radio and Television Station that the café’s pond once held more than 70 tiny turtles, but about half had been stolen.“I feel deeply aggrieved,” Liu said, adding that the turtles had been gifts from regular customers.He also said some patrons had thrown tea, melon seeds and other rubbish into the pond, harming the environment.Another rule targets so-called “fake socialites”, a popular online term for women who cultivate the appearance of wealth through carefully staged displays of conspicuous consumption.The coffee shop had a littering problem, above, so the owner outlawed such behaviour. Photo: DouyinOften associated with frequent outfit changes and photo shoots at chic venues, such customers were accused in the notice of leaving behind discarded black stockings, false eyelashes, clothing and cosmetics, to the detriment of other patrons.Further ReadingIn one pointed line, the sign reads: “I beg those fake socialites not to come. Please go elsewhere. Our café cannot provide you with any emotional value.”Liu told the media that the café also bans smoking and card games, and expects parents to ensure their children do not damage the premises.“We understand that children are naturally lively, but parents who do not observe basic rules are not welcome,” he said.A staff member said the notice was posted in February and that every act of misconduct listed on it had actually taken place.Customers were even stealing tiny turtles from the coffee shop’s pond, above. Photo: DouyinThe incident has drawn widespread sympathy on mainland social media.One online observer said: “I admire the owner’s candour. Every business has unwelcome customers, but few dare to say so openly.”While another netizen wrote: “Behind every absurd rule is an even more absurd story.”“I completely understand Liu’s frustration. I run a restaurant too. Of the 200 spoons I bought, only 55 are left, the rest were stolen,” said a third.