One of the common anxieties when travelling is the fear of missing a flight and having to incur additional expenses for a new booking. To avoid such scenarios, many people make it a point to arrive at the airport well in advance.
However, an unusual incident at Shanghai airport involving a Chinese national highlights the consequences of being too engrossed in online activities.
Photo via Weibo
This traveller, despite arriving early for her flight, ended up missing it due to a rather unexpected distraction—her smartphone and the irresistible allure of online shopping on Taobao during the recent 11.11 sales.
The incident gained viral attention on Weibo, with a video capturing the woman in a state of dejection on the airport floor, shedding tears over the absurdity of the situation. Many Chinese netizens empathised with her plight, understanding the captivating nature of online sales.
The video begins with the woman sitting on the floor, visibly upset, as the person recording approaches her. Up close, she can be heard attributing the missed flight to the closing hours of the 11.11 sales, lamenting that she was so engrossed in her Taobao shopping that she missed the announcement for her flight.
Despite the initial setback, the story takes a positive turn. The airport staff, showing empathy, assisted her in changing her ticket to the next available flight.
Photo via Weibo
It serves as a reminder of the importance of staying attentive while at the airport, especially during critical moments such as flight announcements.
In the end, one can only hope that the traveller not only learned a valuable lesson about airport awareness but also managed to successfully check out all the enticing items in her Taobao cart before the conclusion of the 11.11 sales.
