A prototype of a Hello Kitty branded toilet seat is on display at Sanrio's headquarters in Tokyo, Japan on February 2, 2015. The toilet seat, with heating and warm water shower functions, was one of the most popular items among Chinese customers in Japan during this Spring Festival holiday. [Photo/CFP]

A COUPLE in a tourist group from Zhejiang province in East China took away with them a package of a toilet seat from their hotel room in Japan, thinking it was left by the tourists before them, but it actually belonged to the hotel. They later apologized for their behavior and returned the toilet seat. Beijing News commented on Thursday:

From the disclosure of the letter of apology, the couple confessed they were "cheapskates". In fact, the case is nothing but a display of their parsimonious character and way of thinking, especially to their child who was traveling with them.

The couple may not consider it a big deal. Whenever an opportunity presents itself, it seems they will seize it－and whatever they can lay their hands on. This also shows that there is a problem in the two people's moral standards and code of conduct.

But, of course, this couple does not represent all Chinese. Every year, millions of Chinese tourists visit different places around the world without incident. The behavior of a few shouldn't ruin the reputation of all Chinese tourists.

After all, everyone is responsible for his or her own action. An individual's moral flaws have nothing to do with the nation as a whole.