“Our specialty is fondue. We are practically full every day, even with what is happening in China, ”assures Mr. Hu with a smile. He is the father of the owner of the Tang Roulou restaurant. For a week, however, there are customers who can no longer feast on their broths. These are the tourists… Chinese. A placard posted on the front door prevents them from accessing the tables. On the contrary, in Lausanne, other establishments are sorry to no longer see the coaches pouring their streams of Asians before their doors.
Hu readily admits that his Chinese clientele has dropped 70% since he displayed the color on the front door. What does the notice say specifically? That in these sensitive times, the restaurant has not been welcoming tourists from China for less than 20 days, whether they are there for business or for leisure. “In particular, we took this initiative for the Chinese here. They are reassured to know that we do not accept tourists, “said Hu. And he is keeping an eye on things: just last week, he surprised three Chinese tourists seated at Tang Roulou, who had fallen between the cracks of his nets. He asked them to leave.
The boss in quarantine
In Lausanne, the Peking Duck in Chauderon is at the Chinese restaurant what the Café Romand is with cheese fondue: a must. Here, few tourists from the Middle Empire, except those sent from time to time by the big hotels. Most of the guests are Europeans. “Since the events in China, our attendance has even increased slightly. This is due to our new vegetarian menu, ”says boss Gordon Tung Kan Kwok. It would never occur to him to post the same type of notice as Mr. Hu on his door. “You shouldn’t scare people.” Her brother comes out of the kitchen. He is also the owner of the establishment, and Glenn Leung Kan Kwok does not share his opinion. “This gesture can be explained. We must also think about protecting everyone who visits our establishment. “Gordon Tung Kan Kwok’s wife will be returning from Beijing the next few days where she went to celebrate the New Year. “I decided that upon his return, I would voluntarily quarantine myself at home. It is my responsibility. ”
Cascade cancellations
Far removed from Mr. Hu’s concerns, or even their total opposite, Jennifer Zhang Yuan laments the place of the Tunnel. She is the patron of Lausanne’s oldest Chinese restaurant, Le Shanghaï, which opened in 1954. Chinese customers would welcome her. They have also been his business for years, brought to the doors of his restaurant by whole coaches which usually park in the neighboring square. “Since this week, they have all disappeared. 100%! Borders and embassies are closed. Tour operators cancel reservation upon reservation, ”she laments.
As we speak, Ms. Zhang Yuan is receiving the cancellation of a group of 34 Asians by the end of the month. “New Years is one of the best times for us. Daily, we welcome up to 100 customers per day. And there, nothing! ”Of the 120 places in Shanghai, only about twenty are occupied these days. While waiting for better services, the owner uses her spare time to “arrange” her restaurant at the start of the rat year, an animal considered to be “prudent in terms of finance”.
Created: 08.02.2020, 08h08
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