摘要：Last month, a man dining at a hotpot restaurant in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, found himself in an awkward situation when he ret

Table for one

Last month, a man dining at a hotpot restaurant in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, found himself in an awkward situation when he returned to his table after briefly stepping away to fetch more dipping sauce, only to discover it had been cleared. This incident highlights some of the uncomfortable scenarios solo diners may face in China.

Portion sizes can also be a challenge: one dish may be insufficient, two dishes may be too much, and adding soup could exceed one's budget. Solo diners often find themselves making trade-offs between their finances, taste preferences, and nutritional balance.

The number of single individuals has been steadily increasing in China in recent years. According to the China Population & Employment Statistical Yearbook 2023, China had 240 million single people in 2023, with projections suggesting this number will likely surpass 300 million by the end of 2024.

However, dining alone is not always a necessity; it can also be a deliberate choice. As a netizen shared with 36Kr, a news website, she found dining alone to be more time-saving than dining with others, as it allows one to choose freely without having to consider other people's tastes and preferences.

From the restaurant's perspective, catering to solo diners is also more efficient and reduces food wastage. Some hotpot restaurants have already responded by introducing one-person sets and "stepping out" signs for solo customers.

Flawless no more

In a world where filters can turn us into flawless versions of ourselves — if only temporarily — social media platforms are beginning to rethink their impact on self-image, especially among teenagers.

At its recent European Safety Forum in Dublin, TikTok announced that it will prohibit users under 18 from using beauty filters and prevent those under 13 from accessing the platform in the coming weeks. By the end of this year, TikTok will also launch a new automated system that employs machine learning to accurately assess user ages and detect those attempting to bypass age restrictions.

Underage users will no longer be able to apply filters that enlarge their eyes, plump lips, smooth skin, or alter skin color. However, decorative and fun filters, such as adding bunny ears or a dog nose, will still be available.

This move comes in response to widespread criticism that TikTok's beauty filters could lead to negative emotions among teenage users, particularly girls, who may feel pressured to conform to an unrealistic standard of beauty.

"Teens and parents raised concerns about 'appearance' effects, including that those viewing the content might not realize it had been altered," Christine Grahn, head of TikTok's Public Policy &Government Relations in Europe, wrote in a newsroom statement. "By fostering a culture of authenticity, respect, and support, we can create a digital world where everyone feels empowered to be their true self."

来源：湖南日报一点号1