Weigh in to pay, young diners told
(Shenzhen Daily)
Updated: 2005-02-06 08:46

Children's weights are being taken to decide how much they pay for a buffet meal at a cafeteria in Zhongshan Fifth Road in Guangzhou, a Chinese-language newspaper reported Thursday.

An eye-catching list at the entrance of the cafeteria shows charges for children shorter than 1.4 m vary according to their weights.

Those weighing less than 12.5 kg do not have to pay but those over 12.5 kg have to pay according to their readings on an electronic scale.

The list reads: "13 kg: 13 yuan (US$1.57) for lunch, 16.9 yuan for supper; 14 kg: 14 yuan for lunch, 18.2 yuan for supper…"

One additional kilogram means another 1 yuan for lunch and another 1.3 yuan for supper.

The maximum charge is 50 yuan for lunch and 65 yuan for supper for those who are 50 kg and over.

An electronic scale is located 10 meters away from the entrance.

Most cafeterias charge kids standard fees, half of those for adults.

"Less than 20 yuan is quite enough for kids here. Our pricing is quite reasonable for both kids and adults," said Miss Cai, the assistant general manager of the cafeteria.

A young mother surnamed Chen wasn’t happy with the different charges, saying children now generally weighed more than 12.5 kilograms.

"My daughter is only 1 year old but weighs over 12.5 kg. How can a 1-year-old kid eat food worth more than 10 yuan? Actually, kids of her age are free of charge in most cafeterias," Chen said.

Some diners questioned the legitimacy of the practice, and said weight did not always decide appetite. However, Chen Caixing, an official of the Guangzhou consumers’ association, said it was a fair practice so long as the cafeteria listed the charging standards at a conspicuous place, and there was no discrimination against overweight clients.

The cafeteria charges adults 50 yuan for lunch and 70 yuan for supper per person. It serves Chinese, Western, Japanese and Thai food and drinks. Most diners are students and families.

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