Ever thought your bra size could get you a few quid off your dinner?
Us neither, until we read that a restaurant known as Trendy Shrimp in Hangzhou, the main city of coastal Zhejiang province, is reportedly offering discounts for women depending on their bra size.
The news was first reported in the Qianjiang Evening Post last week after a sign in the restaurant's windows suggested that women with an A cup bra size could receive a five per cent discount on their meal.
Meanwhile, women with a G cup could receive as much as 65 per cent off.
The food establishment's adverts showed a line-up of cartoon women in their underwear with the slogan 'The whole city is looking for BREASTS'.
One resident who complained to the local council about the advert said the posters were 'vulgar advertising' and 'discriminatory towards women', according to the BBC.
The publication reports Trendy Shrimp (which is an awful name for a restaurant, might we add) has since taken down the adverts, but the general manager is continuing to defend the company's sale strategy.
But, of course.
'Once the promotion started, customer numbers rose by about 20 per cent,' he explained, adding that 'some of the girls we met were very proud - they had nothing to hide'.
Er, that might be because there's nothing shameful in having breasts.
What is shameful, however, is the blatant objectification of women and placing them on a scale of beauty and worth depending on their bra size.
He also assured readers that customers could claim their discounts from female members of staff rather than having to deal with male employees, in order to 'avoid embarrassment'.
Well, that's fine then isn't it…
Unfortunately, offering discounts as a result of appearance isn't a new phenomenon in China.
In January 2015, a restaurant in Henan rewarded 'good-looking' customers, weeks after an eatery in Chongqing gave discounts to overweight men and thin women.
Hell no, this is not okay.
Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.
