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Taiwan shops close on first day of Hungry Ghost Festival because owners are ‘afraid of ghosts’

On 23 Aug, the first day of the seventh lunar month — better known as the Hungry Ghost Festival — a quirky scene in Taiwan left netizens in stitches.

A shop owner decided to close for the day, pasting a cheeky sign at the entrance that read: “Afraid of ghosts, closed today.”

Owner who is ‘afraid of ghosts’ closes shop, neighbour joins in

According to China Press, the lighthearted gesture quickly went viral online, with many amused by the owner’s playful way of marking the festival’s start.

Source: Sin Chew Daily

Chinese folklore states that this marks the period when the gates of the underworld open, allowing spirits to roam the earth for a month.

What tickled netizens even more was how the shop next door decided to play along.

Source: Sin Chew Daily

Another notice appeared at the neighbouring unit, reading: “The shop next door is afraid of ghosts. I’m also a little scared, so I’ll take the day off too.”

Netizens amused by ‘interactive’ shop signs

The witty back-and-forth between the two stores sparked lively discussions online.

Some praised the owners’ creativity, while one netizen joked that the duo might have secretly colluded for a joint day off.

Translation: Then the two bosses went fooling around together.Source: Facebook

One commenter said that human beings were way scarier than ghosts.

Translation: Ghosts aren’t scary, people are scarier than ghosts!Source: Facebook

A Facebook user joked that the third shop owner should also put up a sign saying: “It’s not nice to leave only my shop open, so I’ll take a day off too.”

Translation: The third shop should also write: “It’s not nice to leave only my shop open, so I’ll take a day off too.” Source: Facebook

Meanwhile, a netizen shared that they will be on leave the following day, the reason being that they are scared of ghosts too.

Translation: I’m taking leave tomorrow. Reason for leave: afraid of ghosts.Source: Facebook

However, the actual reason appears to have nothing to do with the Hungry Ghost Festival.

According to Radio Free Asia, the shops that put up the signs actually did so back in 2024, in a “non-violent” protest against the China government.

Back then, the China government was implementing a nationwide safety and fire inspection assessment.

Businesses that failed the inspection were expected to voluntarily suspend operations; otherwise, they risked a fine of 50,000 yuan (about S$9,000) if discovered.

Hence, many of the businesses put up various signs with “interesting” reasons to avoid the mandatory inspection.

Also read: ‘I told it to go disturb someone else’: Former SIA flight attendant shares spooky encounters in ‘most haunted hotel’

‘I told it to go disturb someone else’: Former SIA flight attendant shares spooky encounters in ‘most haunted hotel’

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