Restaurant owner told to tone down joke fortune cookies
The owner of Vietnamese restaurant Lady Chu in Potts Point Sydney has been asked to tone down the messages in her fortune cookies.
Nahji Chu was told by her manufacturer that they were no longer accepting "offensive" language messages, after her messages were mistakenly mixed into other customer orders.
"I said, 'This is a personal attack, and you're discriminating against my messages'," Chu told 9news.com.au.
"It's for my customers, within the context of me and my brand… If you're getting it mixed up with other restaurants, that's not my [fault]."
The manufacturer told Chu that the messages had upset their clients.
"As a result, management have decided to no longer accept customised orders with offensive or expletive words," the email to Chu read.
Chu was told to insert the messages herself, but she hit back at them stating: "I don't see why this is my problem. My orders are private and is my IP and if your factory gets it mixed up with other people's orders, then this is your error, not mine," she said.
"My messages are private and are for my clientele and are within our context. They all get my humour."
Messages include: "The year of the Snake bears good fortune! Your divorce is coming soon" and "I only married you for your money you ugly c---."
Chu has had to insert her messages herself to fulfil Valentine’s Day orders.
She may also have to do the work herself in future as the manufacturer she uses offers the best value for her restaurant.
"Last year, I spent close to $10,000 with them," she added.
Chu will now modify her messages.
"I'm gonna just take out the profanities and be creative," Chu said.
"They'll still be funny and rude… just no swear words."
Jonathan Jackson, 13th February 2025
