Now Urine Trouble: 'Racist' Instagram Post by the Rosewood Hotel Manager Incenses Netizens

Less than a week after a video depicting maids in top Beijing luxury hotels failing proper cleaning practices went viral, another hotel scandal has broken in the capital. 

On the evening of Nov 19, a post circulated on 163.com including screenshots from the Instagram account of user @life30one, which is understood to be the personal account of The Rosewood Beijing Hotel Manager Robert Sexton.

The Instagram photo depicts a men's urinal, presumably of the Rosewood Hotel, and the caption "RANT OF THE DAY! Would someone teach Chinese men how to aim!". Visible on the dark floor tiles below is what appears to be a puddle of urine. 

The Instagram account now appears to have been deleted.

Chinese netizens have taken umbrage at the post, which they perceive to be racist and unfairly singling out Chinese men.

The 163.com post quotes a certain 'Meng,' who currently lives in the US, as saying "the poster appears to be mocking Chinese men's small size in some places," adding "the problem of not being able to 'aim accurately' is not just a problem among Chinese men but "a problem generally." He finishes by saying that from the "crime scene" in the picture alone, one is not able to confer the nationality of the person who had wet the floor.

When reached for comment by the Beijinger, The Rosewood gave this official statement: 

"We are aware of a personal post on one of our employee’s social media account. This was a personal comment of an individual, which clearly does not represent the values of the company. We are strongly committed to abiding by the highest professional and ethical standards as an international employer. We have already started [an] investigation and will follow internal procedures to take the necessary actions. We are also working with internal stakeholders to ensure that this is a one-time occurrence and will ensure it will not happen again."

The hotel also supplied the Beijinger with the scan of a handwritten apology letter from Robert Sexton himself, in which he says, "I regret my insensitive comments and I am sincerely sorry for any offense they may have caused." He adds that he is "incredibly honored by my opportunity to be in China and had not meant any disrespect from my post. I realize now that my poor attempt at humor was not in good taste."

Whether the Chinese public will accept this apology, remains to be seen. 

Chinese netizens have been busy of late: this story comes hot on the heels of another public-shaming scandal, in which Italian luxury brand Dolce & Gabbana canceled an upcoming Shanghai fashion show after the fallout from a controversial ad campaign. Fellow Italians, DJ duo VINAI, also recently came under fire for posting a video of themselves shouting at people on the street using stereotypical and offensive language.

READ: Maids Caught on Camera Using Guest Towels to Clean Five-Star Beijing Hotel Bathrooms

Photos: The Rosewood Hotel Beijing, 163.com, Instagram