Milan Hotel Staff's Candy Request Sparks Global Sweet Exchange

A simple request from a hotel front desk staff member in Milan, Italy, for a Chinese candy has turned into a heartwarming global exchange.

The story began when a Chinese tourist, surnamed Sun, checked out of Hotel Flora near Milan's Central Station. As she was leaving, the front desk staff member, noticing she was from China, asked if she could bring back a specific candy on her next visit.

The staff member pulled out a crumpled candy wrapper featuring Hsu Fu Chi's Peanut Crisp Candy and said, "I will pay you."

Sun shared the encounter on the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu on February 17, and the post quickly went viral, garnering over 100,000 likes. It sparked a flood of comments from other travelers, with one user revealing they had gifted a whole package of the same candy to the clerk's colleague in January to lighten their luggage.

The story ignited a wave of support. Adopting a playful strategy akin to "hunger marketing," Chinese netizens organized a crowd-sourced delivery chain. Their goal was to ensure the staff member received a steady stream of treats without being overwhelmed.

"Send him just one flavor of candy each time, keeping him eagerly awaiting each Chinese guest!" one commenter suggested.

Some visitors went the extra mile to ensure food safety. One thoughtful tourist printed a bilingual ingredient list to highlight potential allergens for the staff.

As the exchange gained popularity, Hotel Flora became a "must-visit" spot for Chinese tourists in Milan. Many made special trips to drop off candies, with some organizing group visits to deliver different flavors, much to the delight of the staff.

In response to the viral story, Hsu Fu Chi, the Dongguan-based confectionery brand, invited the Milan hotel staff member to visit their factory in Guangdong Province. The invitation offers a chance to experience the traditional art of sugar-pulling and see firsthand how the beloved candies are made.