Frenzy feeding at Can Tho free buffet stirs controversy

The images of hundreds of people rushing to shove food onto their plates at a free buffet event at a restaurant in Can Tho Province have been shocking.

The images of hundreds of people rushing to shove food onto their plates at a free buffet event at a restaurant in Can Tho Province have been shocking.

 

Frenzy feeding at Can Tho free buffet

The video clip was shared on the internet recently and has caused controversy. The clip was recorded during an opening for a local restaurant. As soon as the food was brought out, many people immediately rushed to the tables and piled up as much food as possible despite the host kept saying that there was enough food for everyone.

After viewing the clip, many have expressed their disgust, saying that everyone should show manners. Others also pointed out that people in the clip were ignoring the host's assurance that there was enough food for everyone.

"Pushing others for food like this reminds me of famines," a viewer named Chau Thanh commented.

 

People piled up as much food as possible

Vu Gia Hien from the Centre for Research and Application of Culture and Tourism blamed the restaurant, saying that they should have calculated the number of attendants and given out invitations. They should also discuss it with local authorities to ensure public order.

"It's free food so everyone wants to join in. It's mob psychology. We can't entirely blame the customers, it's the restaurant that didn't know how to organise the event," he said.

Pham Ngoc Trung from the Academy of Journalism and Communication also said both the customers and the restaurant were to blame. Successful events are well-prepared with several plans if there are too many people. In other cases, it's just an ill-though-out PR move.

He went on to say that chaos was inevitable if the space was too small, if there was insufficient food and there were too many people. Trung claimed it was a ‘reflex’ to pick as much food as they could. Sometimes, the restaurants will be blamed instead of gaining fame after such a PR move.