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Single Guy Did This To Stop Couples From Sitting Together In The Cinema On Valentine's Day

Some Chinese couples hoping to cuddle up at the cinema on Valentine's Day were out of luck because of a campaign launched by a bitter, single man.

Cover image via mediaite.com

What’s a self-proclaimed “computer nerd” to do in the face of a post-breakup Valentine’s Day? A man in Shanghai decided to reserve every other seat at a screening of Beijing Love Story so that snuggling couples wouldn't rub romance in his face at a movie called Beijing Love Story.

A scene from "Beijing Love Story."

Image via nyt.com

In a bid to show how totally fine he is with not having a date, the man bought tickets to make sure no couples could sit together, urging others online to do the same.

travelerstoday.com
Image via mediaite.com

It was orchestrated by a man who split up with his girlfriend last year and decided to get his revenge on couples by targeting the prime-time showing of the film

The man, only identifying himself by the online nickname UP, described himself to the Shanghai Morning Post as a ‘computer nerd’. After breaking up with his girlfriend last year, he is no longer interested in finding himself stuck between loved-up couples on Friday.

dailymail.co.uk

The graphic shows how the cinema's salon looks like

Image via dailymail.co.uk

The story was picked up by a number of Chinese newspapers, which showed a graphic of the cinema's seating plan with no room for couples to cuddle up together.

bbc.co.uk

He explained that the stunt was difficult to pull off as the theatres online bookings system refused him to reserve odd seats, and the suspecious staff at the cinema refused his request

‘I also didn't have enough money. So finally a friend recommended that I start a campaign on a crowdfunding site, and there were enough single internet friends out there to help me raise the money to do this sort of thing,' the man said.

theguardian.com

Speaking to The Shanghai Morning Post, the man said it was just a joke and he hoped that those affected would understand

He also said he hoped people watching the Valentine's Day show at the cinema on Friday might find themselves sitting next to someone they do not know, sparking new relationships.

bbc.co.uk

This Hong Kong woman made a public pitch to be loved ahead of Valentine's Day

Image via bbcimg.co.uk

In an online message, the man reportedly said: “Want to see a movie on Valentine’s Day? Sorry, you’ll have to sit separately. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Give us singles a chance.”

independent.co.uk

The best part may be the comments it generated online

For every “No wonder you’re single,” there were witty rejoinders and high-fives to spare. “No choice but to go on a blind date now,” joked one commenter, according to a translation by ChinaSmack. “Now most lovers will go to the hotel directly,” quipped another.

time.com

Gazing at the checkerboard seats, one netizen had this to offer: “If he bought the white seats, he could’ve saved nine tickets.”

policymic.com

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