So what’s the biggest gift-giving faux pas you’ve committed? Forgetting to take the receipt out of the bag before you hand it over? Re-gifting something to the same person who originally gave it to you?
Well, don’t be too hard on yourself. You’re still a shining example of etiquette compared to one young man who decided to steal some merchandise to give to his girlfriend’s parents. And that’s not even the worst part.
Life was good for Shin, a 21-year-old man living in China. He and his 20-year-old girlfriend had really hit it off, and things were starting to get serious. No one was talking about wedding plans or anything so long-term yet, but the couple decided that since they’d entered into an exclusive relationship, it was only proper that the young lady bring Shin by her home so he could introduce himself to her parents, and ask for their blessing regarding the budding romance.
As any guy can tell you, meeting your girl’s parents for the first time is a big deal. Even if you’re so full of confidence the idea doesn’t intimidate you, you still want to make a good impression, and it’s a bit of a balancing act. You want to be seen as strong and dependable, yet neither controlling nor aggressive since you’re spending time alone with their baby girl. Above all, you want to show that you’re a gentleman, and Shin was determined to play the part. Particularly in Asia, it’s always good form to bring a gift when calling upon someone at their home, and the young man decided on bringing a pack of yue bing, or mooncakes, for his sweetheart’s parents to enjoy.
The thin pastries, commonly filled with sweet red bean paste, are a traditional treat during the Mid-Autumn Festival, one of China’s major holidays. Since Shin would be visiting his girlfriend’s home shortly before the festival, he reasoned they’d make a perfect gift. Of course, an equally important part of making a good impression is being punctual. Apparently calculating that he wouldn’t have time to buy the cakes on the way to his girlfriend’s home, Shin decided to pick them up before the day of his visit.
So off to the store he went, where he grabbed a pack of mooncakes off the shelf. At that moment though, Shin was overcome by temptation. Taking a quick glance around the crowded store, he noticed that all of the employees were tied up dealing with other customers. Sensing his chance, he slipped out of the store without paying. No one came chasing after him as we walked away. The heist was a success!
The arranged day finally came, and Shin arrived at his girlfriend’s house, carrying his ill-gotten sweets. But as he handed the package over to his girlfriend’s mother, her face suddenly contorted with fury. “So you’re the thief!” she bellowed. The enraged mother immediately alerted the authorities, who came to take the boy into custody, where he made a full confession. To make matters worse, news outlets picked up on the story, therein eliminating anyone who owns a television from Shin’s potential dating pool, after his girlfriend inevitably dumps him.
▼ The video has no subtitles, but the newscaster’s pointing, head shaking, and disgusted flinging away of the graphic at the end need no translation.
But how did Mom know the mooncakes were stolen? As (bad) luck would have it, the store Shin chose for his caper is owned and managed by his girlfriend’s mother. When doing inventory after closing up on the day of the crime, she noticed there was an unaccounted for pack of mooncakes missing from the shelves. When Shin handed over his “gift,” she immediately recognized her store’s packaging.
According to the police report, Shin “deeply regrets” his actions, and seems to be at a loss as to how to make things up to the family, aside from the apology and compensation he has already offered them. The daughter has asked for leniency in his case. In the meantime, the authorities have issued the nebulous statement that Shin has undergone “rehabilitation education,” which we imagine to be a team of three officers shaking their heads at the young man while saying, “Dude, seriously?” for eight hours a day.
Sources: Youku, Sina News
[ Read in Japanese ]