National dishes of Japanese cuisine – sushi and sashimi – are not cheap in restaurants in Taiwan. A portion of the popular “Philadelphia” or “California” is worth, if you translate the Taiwanese dollar into the Russian ruble, about a thousand.
To draw the attention of visitors to sushi, local restaurant chain Akindo Sishiro launched a promotion. The Taiwanese with the last name “Salmon” were offered to eat Japanese dishes for free for two weeks, that is how long the promotion lasts.
“The restaurant chain promised free sushi to each of its customers, whose names included the characters for salmon in Chinese,” the restaurant's advertising offer said.
At the expense of the institution, the lucky one can feed five more of his friends.
The possibility of free dinners in Taiwan has sparked a boom among the local population: people began to storm the prefectures with a request to change their last name. During the first three days from the start of the campaign, more than 150 applications were submitted.
Officials call what is happening “salmon chaos.” And they urge you to change your mind: after all, the action lasts only two weeks, and you will have to walk with the name “Salmon” for the rest of your life.
But the inhabitants of the island are optimistic. Some say that they have dreamed of changing their surname all their lives and do not intend to miss an advantageous chance. Others openly admit that as soon as they eat their portion of sushi, they will return to their previous name.
But under Taiwan law, personal information can only be changed three times during a lifetime, writes the Taipei Times.
