A bizarre and costly incident occurred at a Haidilao hotpot restaurant in Shanghai when two 17-year-old boys urinated directly into a hotpot during a private dining session. The event, which took place on 24 February 2025, quickly went viral after footage was shared online, sparking outrage and concern among the public.
The two teenagers, surnamed Tang and Wu, were initially placed under administrative detention. Haidilao subsequently filed a lawsuit against both the minors and their parents for damages, citing harm to the restaurant’s reputation and financial losses. On 12 September, a Chinese court ruled that the parents were liable for a total compensation of RMB 2.2 million (approximately S$435,000).
Breakdown of the Compensation
The court’s ruling covers multiple expenses:
- RMB 130,000 (about S$25,700) for cleaning and disinfection of the restaurant utensils.
- RMB 2 million (around S$395,000) for business losses and reputational damage.
- RMB 70,000 (roughly S$13,800) for legal fees incurred during the case.
Any personal assets of the teenagers will first be used to offset the compensation. Should these prove insufficient, the parents are responsible for the remaining amount. Additionally, the parents must publish an apology in a designated newspaper without revealing their children’s identities.
Public Reaction and Haidilao’s Response
The incident triggered a strong reaction on social media, with many netizens joking that the teenagers had likely produced “the most expensive pee in history.” Some suggested the experience could leave lasting psychological effects for the teens. Others noted that Haidilao had initially sought RMB 23 million (S$4.39 million) for reputational and operational losses, making the court’s final award seem relatively modest.
Haidilao had initially urged the public not to attack the minors or their families and promised to pursue legal action against those spreading the video maliciously. This approach drew criticism, as many felt the restaurant’s initial response was too lenient. The company quickly changed course and filed the lawsuit against the teenagers, highlighting the seriousness of the incident.
This case underscores the legal responsibility parents hold for the actions of their minor children in China and serves as a cautionary tale about public behaviour and online exposure.