(China Photo) Silver-haired blind date in Shanghai IKEA restaurant

　　China News Service, Shanghai, February 11th: Title: Silver-haired blind date in Shanghai IKEA restaurant

　　Author Xie Mengyuan Yang Haiyan

　　Every Tuesday and Thursday, uncles in Shanghai will rush to the "Dating Corner" of the IKEA restaurant in Xujiahui from different directions. They will sit down early and chat with the grandmothers they know or search with their eyes hidden behind dark lenses. Strike up a conversation with a “newcomer”. Some people have adhered to this kind of life pattern for more than ten years.

　　On the recent Prime Day Tuesday, the IKEA restaurant was still busy. At 11 a.m., nearly "half" of the restaurant was occupied by elderly people. A whole row of tables and chairs near the entrance were filled with old people chatting. On the table were brought tea, fruits and snacks.

At noon on Member’s Day on Tuesday, the IKEA restaurant was filled with elderly people who came to socialize. Photo by Yang Haiyan

　　Compared with the grandmas who mostly sit in one place, the uncles are more active. Some people shuttle between the tables and chairs from time to time or inspect the entire restaurant. When they meet new faces of the same age group, they will slow down and observe silently.

　　Uncle Chen, who was born in the 1960s, is such a "human observer". Wearing a jade ring on his thumb and a pair of oval sunglasses on the bridge of his nose, Uncle Chen tried to use his style to show his artistic style, "I never take off my sunglasses, just like director Wong Kar-wai, whose "Flowers" was shot well .”

　　Like Uncle Chen, many uncles like "concave shapes". Rings of various materials and sunglasses of different shapes are their must-have items.

　　Unlike other old people who were wary of reporters, Uncle Chen was the first to take the initiative to talk. "I came here to observe human beings. I like to communicate with different people. I came here to collect materials because I want to go back and write novels." "

　　It is not uncommon to see old people who claim to come here to collect works and create works, but their attitude towards each other is quite a bit like "literati are dismissive of each other".

　　"These old people actually go to the 'IKEA Blind Date' appointment with their own stories and expectations of meeting new friends. The old people come here not only for blind dates, but also for social interaction." Xu Linhui, associate researcher at the Institute of Applied Economics, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences In an exclusive interview with a reporter from China News Service, he said that talking to others is a scarce resource for retired elderly people, and their willingness to go out of the house actually reflects their positive attitude.

　　In her view, China has long recognized the social needs of the elderly and has continued to carry out various "filial piety" activities. "But the frequency of such activities is limited. Water from afar cannot quench the thirst of the elderly. The lives of the elderly are lived every day. They need to figure it out on their own.”

　　Why choose a furniture retailer’s restaurant instead of a social venue like a park? Xu Linhui believes that this reflects the elderly’s budget-conscious character traits and living habits.

　　In 2007, the IKEA restaurant launched an event to provide free coffee to members. This offer attracted a group of elderly people to go there, and the place gradually became their dating place. It has become a social phenomenon in the past ten years.

　　Although senior blind date groups have previously caused controversy due to occupying seats for long periods of time, bringing their own food and drinks, making loud noises, etc., IKEA also once issued restrictions due to the ineffective persuasion to leave. However, a reporter's recent on-site visit found that the two parties are now getting along well, and the restaurant is not surprised by the old man's appearance. An old man told reporters that the attitude of the staff was very friendly.

　　Grandma Song, who is over 70 years old, has insisted on attending the "Dating Corner" gatherings every week for more than ten years. She admitted that the success rate of blind dates here is not high, and many elderly people just come to meet friends. "The coffee here is free on membership days, and there is air conditioning. The bathroom and environment are also good, which is very suitable for old sisters to come and chat. Sometimes when the weather is nice, we can gather a few people to go to the restaurant and order some dishes together in the evening."

　　"The money for meals is shared equally, so everyone is happy." According to her, many uncles in the "Dating Corner" do not take the initiative to treat grandmas to dinner, but instead adopt the "AA system" (sharing the expenses evenly).

　　This year, China issued its first "Silver Economy" policy document ("Opinions on Developing a Silver Economy to Improve the Well-Being of the Elderly"), proposing 26 measures in four aspects, including enriching cultural and sports services for the elderly, focusing on diversified needs, and cultivating seven potential industries. .

　　In Xu Linhui’s view, elderly care requires wisdom and is not limited to meticulous care. The elderly also value the principle of reciprocity in the social process, and passive acceptance will increase their loneliness and powerlessness. "We should allow the elderly to be independent as much as possible." (End)