The owner said their outfits were too revealing.
Two Chinese tourists allegedly faced discrimination while eating at a popular restaurant in Japan. A Chinese blogger visited the establishment with a friend, and both were kicked out for wearing clothes the owner considered “too revealing.”
The tourists were wearing sports vests and loose trousers when they visited Kobe’s Baan Thai Market in August. Upon entering the Thai restaurant, the owner allegedly said, “Summer is over. You don’t need to come out naked anymore.”
They claim their experience continued to deteriorate: the waitstaff cleared their table before they finished their meal, took away their chopsticks, and removed the food. When the blogger attempted to pay the bill, they said the owner ignored them and gestured for them to check the screen and settle the bill themselves. Later, the blogger read Google reviews for the restaurant and found that other diners had also faced alleged discrimination from the owner.
One reviewer said they were kicked out for wearing perfume, while another mentioned the owner’s attitude soured when hearing them speak Chinese. The restaurant has drawn criticism from Japanese citizens and condemnation on Chinese social media.
Chinese tourists are traveling to Japan in droves due to a weak yen and relaxed visa policies. As Japan sees an influx of visitors, the country is introducing new measures to control overtourism.
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Dressing Down
While this incident appears to be a case of discrimination, tourists often get into trouble for ignoring local customs regarding clothing. Increasingly, destinations are enforcing appropriate behavior with fines, especially throughout Europe.
Recently, the Portuguese city of Albufeira banned people from being shirtless outside the beach. In July, the French town Les Sables d’Olonne announced fines of up to €150 ($175) for walking around “half naked.” The Spanish tourist destination of Mallorca has also cracked down on shirtless tourists in recent years. Some restaurants now refuse service to tourists wearing football jerseys or swimsuits, citing disorderly behavior.
Italy has also struggled with tourists swimming naked in its fountains and Venetian canals, urging visitors to act appropriately. British tourists were fined €250 ($290) in 2019 for biking shirtless in Venice, along with a €100 ($116) penalty for riding in the city center. One woman even bathed naked in a fountain, sparking outrage from locals.
Airlines, too, can penalize passengers for inappropriate clothing. Under the contract of carriage, airlines can decide if a passenger’s outfit is offensive or inappropriate. Passengers can be removed from a flight for not wearing shoes or for clothing with profanity. Airline staff have, at times, asked women to cover up, sparking debates over moral policing. Airlines may also refuse boarding to passengers who are intoxicated or act rudely toward staff.
Related: Do Airlines Have the Right to Dictate Dress Codes?
