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0Erinome: Hello dear friends, today we are going to talk about the topic of "high-speed trains stopping selling instant noodles". Have you heard about this news recently? It’s been a hot topic online!
Enceladus: Oh yes! I saw it on social media. Many people are talking about it. So, what’s happening exactly? Do high-speed trains not allow instant noodles anymore?
Erinome: Well, not exactly "not allow". The news says high-speed train stations are stopping selling instant noodles, but passengers can still bring their own. Like Guangzhou East Station did this recently, and it made everyone discuss a lot.
Enceladus: Oh, I get it. So stations don’t sell them, but we can bring. Why did they do this? Is there a rule behind it?
Erinome: Yes! According to China Railway's service quality rules, instant noodles are considered food that might seriously affect the train’s environment. So stations stop selling to keep the environment better for passengers.
Enceladus: Wow, I didn’t know that. And this isn’t sudden, right? I think I heard something before.
Erinome: You’re right! It started as a trial. Like Shanghai Hongqiao Station first stopped selling instant noodles in April 2023. Then more stations followed, and now Guangzhou’s action made it super popular online.
Enceladus: Oh, so it’s a step-by-step thing. But why instant noodles? What’s the problem with them in trains?
Erinome: The main reasons are hygiene and safety, I think. High-speed train carriages are closed spaces, right? When you make instant noodles, the steam has oil and调料 particles (tiaoliao keli) that float in the air. It makes the air dirty.
Enceladus: Oh no! That sounds bad. And the smell must be strong. Some people might not like it.
Erinome: Exactly! Especially people sensitive to smells. Like pregnant women or kids. A netizen shared that when she was pregnant, someone ate instant noodles next to her on the train, and she felt super sick the whole trip.
Enceladus: That’s sad. So the smell really bothers some people. What about the trash?
Erinome: Oh right! After eating, the leftover soup and trash are hard to handle. If you spill the soup, it goes into the floor gaps and is hard to clean. And the floor gets slippery, which might make people fall. That’s a big problem for cleaners.
Enceladus: Oh no, that’s dangerous. And what about safety? Like hot water?
Erinome: Yes! Making instant noodles needs hot water. Trains shake when moving, so the hot water might spill and burn people. There was a case before: a kid was going to eat instant noodles, the table suddenly fell, and the hot noodles poured on his leg. He got burned. That’s scary!
Enceladus: Wow, that’s really a safety risk. So from these sides, stopping selling makes sense. But do people support this?
Erinome: Some do, some don’t. Supporters say high-speed trains are a public space, so most people’s experience should come first. Without instant noodles, the air is fresher, and the environment is better. They want a comfortable trip.
Enceladus: That makes sense. But what about people who disagree? I saw some netizens were upset.
Erinome: Oh right! Many people are against it. They say instant noodles are cheap and easy. For students or workers with little money, it’s the best choice for meals on the trip. Like, a box of instant noodles is only a few yuan, but train meals are expensive.
Enceladus: Oh, I get it. For people on a budget, instant noodles save money. And some people said it’s a "travel culture". Like, eating instant noodles on trains is a tradition, you know?
Erinome: Haha, yes! A netizen even said, "Eating instant noodles on trains is a must. Now they stop selling, it feels like the trip has no taste." It’s like part of their travel memories.
Enceladus: That’s true. So some think it’s taking away their right to choose food. But wait, the stations stop selling, but they can bring their own. Is that easy?
Erinome: Hmm, maybe not. Some people said even if you bring your own, you might not find hot water on the train. Then you can’t eat it. That’s a problem! Like, you bring the noodles but no hot water—so frustrating!
Enceladus: Oh no! That’s awkward. And are there other smelly foods not banned? Like pickled chicken feet or braised food. They also have strong smells, right? Why only instant noodles?
Erinome: You know that? Many people are asking this! They think it’s "selective restriction". If instant noodles are banned for smell, why others are allowed? It makes people doubt the fairness.
Enceladus: So there are pros and cons. The stations want better environment, but some passengers lose a cheap meal option. What can be done, do you think
Erinome: The news says maybe there are solutions. Like, trains can make more cheap and tasty meals. Or set a special area for eating smelly food, so it won’t bother others. That way, both sides are happy
