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Q: Why are there so many people sleeping in restaurants?
Seems like (I know it isn't every single time) when I go into any western chain restaurant like Pizza Hut or McDonalds, there are anywhere from 1 - 3 people slumped over a table sleeping. The staff doesn't seem to care if they are there or not. They do not "appear" to be homeless, just lazy and nowhere to go. I saw this in Shanghai and now Shenyang. I have seen females and males, as well as a mixture of younger and older people doing this. Is this a common practice in China?
Yes, it's pretty common. The reason behind this is in your question: "The staff doesn't seem to care"
There's the guy who missed his bus.
The other guy too lazy to go home.
The poor soul with no home.
The broken heart with nowhere to go.
The student skipping class.
And last but not least, the actual employees!
Geezer:
If they can't buy something they should not take away space from people who do!
debbie.luo:
Adding to the list:
-The students who stayed out late and can't get back into the dorm because the gates are closed
-Exam time, students who are having cram sessions the night before their exams
Mr_spoon:
Oh, right!
Well, Geezer, the thing is these places are usually rather empty at night, and since they often are spacious anyways, they're not really bothering anyone...
I read an interesting article on this website on this issue, and the writer put it down to the premium on public space. Public space is at such a premium in Chinese cities that quite soon after the establishment of the first 'western' restaurants it became very obvious that removing those who weren't buying your goods was counter productive overall. This went so far that KFC allowed ( and allegedly still do) people to bring in their own food.
Basically it appeared to boil down to, if you own a large amount of business real estate and don't allow people to use it as a public park, no-one will use it period.
I suppose it's a bit like the UK broadband skivers, they go to McDonalds buy a single coffee and surf for free for hours. (AND the coffee is shit!)
AdamE:
Very true about other countries. In large cities in America it's not uncommon to see homeless people hanging out/taking a nap inside a 24 hour coffee shop or donut shop. Or even at the more upscale coffee shops to see someone order a drink and then use the free wifi all day long.
Yeh, I used to sleep in restaurants all the time in Yangshuo. I'd be in there drinking all night, then just lay back and kip instead of heading home. the staff slept there too so they never cared. Then i'd wake up and have a fry up.
stan118:
hahah i remember doing that a few times, not that it was planed,
Weekend mornings there's classes that are taught in my apartment but I live in a studio apartment so if I'm hung over or tired I have no where to sleep. So I head over to the 24 hour restaurant and sleep there. No ones ever said anything to me about it , lol.
Because the spineless manages here won't wake someone up and tell them "Buy something or get out!" It really pisses me off when I go into buy something to eat and I have no place to sit and eat my food when three or four tables are always occupied by someone sleeping or just surfing on the internet. Fricking freeloaders!!!!!
