Learn Mandarin online - Diners should sign contract to book for New Year dinner

CITYLIFE / Hip & New






Diners should sign contract to book for New Year dinner

(Shanghai Daily )
Updated: 2006-11-08 13:17



The Shanghai Commission of Consumers'Rights and Interests Protection is
recommending residents sign a contract with restaurants when booking a
table for nianyefan, the lunar New Year's Eve family dinner.

Though the holiday is still three months away, many of the city's
best-known restaurants are almost fully booked for the evening.

The rush for tables often leads to many complaints from consumers about
inferior food or service.

To guarantee a quality and safe New Year's Eve diner, city industrial and
commercial authorities are working on a standard contract for nianyefan,
according to the Youth Daily.

The document is expected to be issued around the next Consumers' Rights
and Interests Protection Day, which falls on March 15.

In Chinese tradition, nianyefan is more than just a meal, it's a reunion
time for the whole family, similar to Christmas in the West.

The number of complaints about inferior nianyefan has spiked in recent
years, but it is often difficult to resolve with the disputes as
consumers too often fail to provide forceful evidence such as a written
agreement, said Yuan Peijun, director of the consumers' rights and
interests protection division under the Shanghai Industrial and
Commercial Administrative Bureau.

Diners should propose the contract on their own initiative when making a
reservation, which is supposed to cover the type, quantity and quality of
every dish.

The contract should make it very clear what punishment the restaurant
will face if there is any violation, Yuan said.

When booking a table for the big dinner, consumers are generally required
to pay a deposit ranging from several hundred yuan to 1,000 yuan
(US$125). They will not get the money back if they cancel the
reservation. However, there is no detailed sanction on the caterers if
their food or service is inferior.

Yuan said in the past some restaurateurs have overbooked for the night
resulting in various problems such as lack of staff and small servings.

"Customers can choose restaurants with good reputations or comparatively
large business scope," she suggested. "Make sure of the name, quantity
and price for every dish and sign an agreement on these items."










Feature




Pilgrimage to Tibet If you want to get a detailed Travel Handbook to
Tibet and know more interesting tour routes leading to this divine place.
Please click here!

Yunnan New Film Project Ten female directors from China! Ten unique
sights from mysterious Yunnan Province!Yunnan New Film Project,Travel
with the film.Wanna know more? Please click here!




Editors' Picks




� Go natural

� A pleasant journey for red leaves

� Try Chinese hair salons

� Halloween binge

� Chasing the autumn wind





Beijing Guide




Eating out: Enjoy grilled mutton at Shichahai
Bars&Cafes: A drink with a friend
Weekend&Holiday: Lin Jun Jie 2006 Beijing Vocal Concert
Shopping: You're in the army now!
What's on: Make this land white







Shanghai Guide


Eating out: A true taste of traditional Japan
Bars&Cafes: New wine launched
Weekend&Holiday: "Winter Journey" comes
Shopping: In pursuit of 1930 Shanghai
What's on: The world is flat





Learn Chinese, Chinese Online Class, Learning Materials, Mandarin audio lessons, Chinese writing lessons, Chinese vocabulary lists, About chinese characters, News in Chinese, Go to China, Travel to China, Study in China, Teach in China, Dictionaries, Learn Chinese Painting, Your name in Chinese, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese songs, Chinese proverbs, Chinese poetry, Chinese tattoo, Beijing 2008 Olympics, Mandarin Phrasebook, Chinese editor, Pinyin editor, China Travel, Travel to Beijing, Travel to Tibet