A truly curious incident recently occurred in China that caught the nation’s attention. A woman was caught on camera cooking rice during her journey on a high-speed train, a bizarre spectacle that has sent shockwaves across mainland China’s social media landscape. The video, shot by a fellow passenger, has become a viral sensation, generating both surprise and amusement, and sparking a widespread conversation about public behaviour and safety norms on public transportation.
The scene unfolded on a high-speed Chinese train, as a woman, accompanied by her husband, was seen preparing and serving rice using a portable rice cooker. Seemingly oblivious to the attention they were drawing from fellow passengers, the couple was captured on video sitting comfortably and engaged in a casual conversation, while the woman used a spoon to dish out cooked rice into plastic bowls.
The reactions of the onlooking passengers were a mix of confusion and surprise. For most, it was an unusual sight that left them wondering about the rules and etiquette of public transportation. The couple, however, appeared to be completely unaware of the curiosity they had incited and continued their meal unperturbed. They had utilized a power outlet, typically used to charge mobile devices or laptops, to plug in their rice cooker.
The administration of China Railway was quick to assert that the use of high-powered electrical appliances, including rice cookers, hot-water bottles, and kettles, is prohibited aboard trains. Their statement underlines the potential dangers these appliances can pose, echoing safety concerns raised by social media users.
This peculiar event quickly garnered attention on Douyin, a popular video-sharing platform in China, with the video amassing around 24,000 comments. Netizens chimed in with their views, one incredulous user quipped, “She dares to cook rice this time. Will she make a hotpot next time? An unbelievable woman.” The sentiment of potential danger was echoed by another who questioned, “It’s very dangerous. If everyone cooks, what would happen?”
The dialogue has extended beyond this singular incident, feeding into a larger discourse about public behaviour on public transportation in China. This topic tends to trend regularly on social media platforms, as incidents of improper conduct often draw public attention and criticism. Last month, for instance, a man in northern China caused a high-speed train to decelerate because he was smoking in the toilet, eliciting widespread criticism. Also in June, a video of an elderly woman in southern China arguing with a passenger over a stolen seat on a flight went viral, leading to yet another wave of public discourse on appropriate behaviour in shared public spaces.
This incident, while unusual and somewhat amusing, underscores a broader debate about the rules of public decorum, safety measures on public transportation, and the evolving social landscape of China.
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