Chinese shop clerk breaks jade bangles worth US$140,000; owner seeks no compensation

A shop clerk in eastern China accidentally broke jade bangles valued at over one million yuan (US$140,000), yet the owner chose compassion over compensation, giving the young man a chance to learn from his mistake.

The incident, which occurred in October at a jewelry shop in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, was captured on surveillance video.

While moving a table, the clerk accidentally knocked over a box of jade bangles, resulting in a loud crash.

He attempted to gather the pieces but squatted in frustration upon realizing they were beyond repair.

The shop owner, identified by the surname Cheng, revealed that out of the 50 jade bangles, more than 30 were completely shattered, leading to a loss exceeding one million yuan.

Cheng explained that the Russian nephrites, prized for their clarity and rarity, were uninsured.

With the shop still not open and no carpet on the floor, he found himself shouldering the entire loss.

Despite the damage, Cheng did not demand that the shop clerk pay for the broken bangles.

Instead, he reassured the young man, saying: “It was my request, along with a customer’s, to relocate the table. The clerk acted carelessly, as inexperienced and a bit rash young people sometimes do.”

Cheng emphasised that young people deserve more opportunities and hoped this incident would serve as a valuable learning experience for all involved.

He noted that the broken bangles would be displayed in the store as a reminder for employees.

According to the mainland media outlet Jimu News, the shop clerk, a recent university graduate, had been working there for only a few months.

Grateful for the owner’s understanding, he stated: “Cheng’s leniency preserved my hope for the future.”

He also vowed to work diligently in the future to repay the shop owner’s kindness.

Source: https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3329726/chinese-shop-clerk-breaks-jade-bangles-worth-us140000-owner-seeks-no-compensation

Comprehension

Where did the incident take place, and what type of store was involved?
What caused the jade bangles to break?
How much were the damaged bangles worth?
How did the shop owner, Cheng, respond to the accident?
Why did Cheng decide not to make the clerk pay for the damage?
What lesson did Cheng hope the broken bangles would teach his employees?
How did the shop clerk feel about Cheng’s response?
What promise did the shop clerk make after the incident?

Discussion

Do you think Cheng made the right decision not to make the clerk pay? Why or why not?
How would you feel if you caused an accident like this at work?
What does this story teach us about kindness and responsibility?
Should employers always forgive mistakes made by new workers? Why or why not?
Have you ever made a mistake at work or school that taught you an important lesson?
Why do you think Cheng decided to display the broken bangles in the store?
What can young employees learn from this story about handling mistakes?
How important is forgiveness in the workplace?
How might this event affect the relationship between the clerk and the owner in the future?
If you were the shop owner, what would you have done in this situation?

Vocabulary

Clerk – A person who works in a store or office, helping customers or handling tasks.
Bangle – A circular bracelet worn around the wrist.
Compassion – The feeling of care and understanding for someone’s suffering or mistake.
Shatter – To break suddenly into many small pieces.
Leniency – Showing kindness or mercy instead of strict punishment.
Inexperienced – Lacking practice or knowledge in doing something.
Rash – Acting too quickly without thinking carefully.
Reassure – To comfort someone or make them feel less worried.