Who knew a trip to Manner Coffee on Shanghai’s Weihai Road could turn into such a spectacle? On June 17, in the latest episode of “Customer Service Gone Wild,” an impatient customer and a stressed-out barista clashed over the issue of service speed. Naturally, the customer threatened to complain—because what else are you going to do when your caffeine fix is delayed?
But hold on to your coffee cups, folks! The barista, clearly having a day that could rival a soap opera, decided to spice things up by hurling coffee grounds at the customer. Talk about a special blend!
This dramatic encounter, captured on video and now the toast of social media, has everyone buzzing. People are calling for the employee’s head on a platter and demanding Manner Coffee teach their staff how to handle complaints without resorting to food fights. As the video continues to brew online, it’s a vivid reminder that a little patience and professionalism can go a long way—especially when coffee is involved.
In recent days, China has witnessed a wave of performance cancellations across the country. A Japanese monk singer called off his tour, several cities halted stand-up comedy shows, and Beijing bars canceled jazz performances. Over a span of just a few days, more than a dozen shows were abruptly canceled, some mere minutes before they were scheduled to start, with little to no explanation provided.
These cancellations followed a significant fine imposed on a Chinese comedy studio in Beijing. The studio was fined 13.35 million yuan after the government accused one of its comedians of insulting soldiers in a joke. In a northern city, police also detained a woman for defending the comedian online. These actions highlight the increasing scrutiny faced by China’s creative industries.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has intensified the control over art and culture as part of an ideological campaign, urging artists to align their work with the Communist Party’s goals. Performers must submit scripts for review, and publications are closely monitored. In a letter to the National Art Museum of China on its 60th anniversary, Xi emphasized the need to “maintain the correct political direction.”
This heightened emphasis on controlling art and culture aligns with Xi’s broader focus on national security and eliminating foreign influences. Recently, authorities have raided Western consulting firms and expanded anti-espionage laws.
The crackdown also extended to live performances involving foreign artists, resulting in canceled shows for rock bands, jazz musicians, and rappers across major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Cancellations were often attributed to “force majeure,” a term commonly used to imply government pressure.
Many observers see this as part of a larger strategy to tighten control over cultural expression amid deteriorating relations with the West. As Xi’s China becomes increasingly paranoid, cultural activities, including comedy and music, are becoming battlegrounds for ideological control.
The Truth Of China 