Bubble trouble

The days of hanging out inside Starbucks cafés in China are over, unless they buy a coffee first.

Starbucks China began implementing its “purchase before seating” rule nationwide on 22 October, the South China Morning Post reports.

Stores put up similar signs, as Starbucks stores in North America did last year.

The end of free-seat hogging in Starbucks outlets became a viral discussion on Chinese social media, but there were no negative comments. Commenters agreed with the policy.

Meanwhile, riders at an amusement park in Guose Tianxiang resort in Wenjiang District, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China were given free cups of bubble tea on 1 November.

The complimentary drinks were given after the recipients rode the flying chair ride.

Strong wind gusts triggered the ride’s safety mechanism, automatically shutting it down that day, China news site 163 reported, according to vnexpress.net.

Riders of the flying chair ride were left dangling above the ground for about 30 minutes before staff safely brought them down, vnexpress.net cited Sina as reporting.

Instead of refunding the ride ticket, the resort gave each person one cup of bubble tea as compensation, according to vnexpress.net.