Feels like China's new motto is: 'Who cares about life? Let's get unhinged!'
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Sure, here is the English translated version that preserves details and emotional expressions while ensuring readability for target language readers.
After living in Shenzhen, a fast-paced city, for 6 years, I have some insights and experiences I would like to share with friends who might visit here, especially foreigners who may not be familiar with some local situations.
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About the overall atmosphere of Shenzhen
- Having lived here for six years, I have noticed that people (including myself!) seem a bit worn out from life, with a feeling of exhaustion hanging in the air.
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Daily commuting experience (public transportation)
- Note: Shenzhen’s rush hour isn't something to play around with!
- On my way to work, getting out of those overcrowded “urban villages”—old residential areas that are extremely dense in population—and onto the subway, the road can get terribly crowded!
- Pedestrians, cyclists, and all kinds of people mixed together like a tangled knot.
- Passersby mostly display a "don’t mess with me" look, appearing either anxious, or filled with heavy thoughts.
- Little Tip for Tourists: If you happen to take public transportation to catch a flight, train, or attend a significant appointment, make sure to allocate extra time, especially during peak rush hours! Avoiding crowds and scheduling your travel during off-peak times is much more comfortable.
- Note: Shenzhen’s rush hour isn't something to play around with!
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The "lying down" phenomenon in public spaces
- Shenzhen’s public spaces are becoming more relaxed. Sometimes you might spot people simply relaxing on benches or other places laid out as if saying, “I’m just gonna chill here, what can you do about it?”
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People’s catchphrases
- Such comments as “Whatever,” “Cool” or “Who cares?” are heard frequently, illustrating that people have lost interest in various matters.
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Lively scenes in subways
- It’s quite interesting inside the subway: on one side, working individuals staring blankly at Douyin (this app is somewhat like TikTok, which is widely popular); and on another, some newcomers to the city happily chatting away. What a contrast!
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“Office workers’” daily life outside restaurants and My Personal Comments
- Eight times out of ten, dining outside will bring me eavesdropping into conversations surrounding work, turning their discussions into a large-scale complaint session. (Honestly, I was tempted to join a few times!)
- Once I experienced something hilarious: while snacking on burgers, I overheard a parent tutoring his child studying math beside me! These super intense competitions among people instantly made me recall the fear about schoolwork during childhood, and I escaped with my food as soon as possible.
- Ah well, it seems that everyone here has got plenty of pressure, whether they are adults or kids.
#BigCity #Shenzhen #FreakingOut (Feel free to include these tags to help others find related discussions!)
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Since moving to Shenzhen, I've become a lot more irritable. I just can't stand the terrible lack of order in the city.
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I really want to live, but Shenzhen is just exhausting. Even though I've saved a seven-figure sum, I'm genuinely unhappy. In a few years, I plan to get Hong Kong residency, save a bit more, and buy a small place there. I could drive an excavator for 1200-1300 HKD a day, do locksmithing at night for extra cash, and even sell goods online, meeting buyers at MTR stations to make a profit. I'd work when I want and quit when I don't. At 30, I feel work should be flexible like that; besides, I wouldn't worry about unemployment in Hong Kong. A friend of mine already does this – makes over 30,000 a month from excavating, another 20,000+ from online sales, totaling 50,000 a month. He works for a few months, quits, takes a two-month break, and then goes back to work.
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That's so impressive!
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But in the park tonight, there were so many people: folks fishing—young, middle-aged, and elderly; kids on skateboards chasing each other and laughing; students, still in their sweaty school uniforms, running past; and super-fit men and women with toned muscles jogging by like the wind. There were pedestrians strolling, listening to music on headphones, or chatting. A dad was jogging, pushing a stroller with his sleeping baby, while the mom ran alongside. It suddenly struck me that there are indeed many people living happily in this world.
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It's just that some people from well-connected families got rich. It's a shame that for our generation, the chances of making enough money to live that comfortably are so slim.
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So many people are unemployed and can't find work, and even those who have jobs are facing delayed paychecks.
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Exactly, I can't find anything at all. My parents tell me to just find any company to work at for now, but the problem is, I can't even find 'any' job.
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Shenzhen really takes a toll on the mental state of us working folks, like it adds layers of damage. People are either spiraling into a quiet, listless madness or energetically burning themselves out...
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What an accurate assessment!
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Shenzhen is weird. In other places, it's 'let people off first, then board' or 'let people out first, then enter.' In Shenzhen, it feels like everyone tries to do it simultaneously. Like when a residential community gate opens, people outside rush in before those inside have even had a chance to exit.
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Shenzhen wasn't like this back in 2018. It's changed so much since the pandemic.
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The subways are packed, roads are chaotic with speeding e-bikes. Most jobs are basically 996, with one person doing the work of several. After expenses, you're lucky if you can save 3,000-4,000 yuan a month, sometimes even less. This lifestyle consumes your entire being, leaving only exhaustion and numbness. Over time, how can you not go crazy?
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It's so strange. There are tons of unemployed people, yet at the same time, many others are juggling multiple jobs. It's such a contradiction.
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I deeply regret resigning from my job at the state-owned enterprise. That position might have been the best I'll ever have...
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Hugs Work isn't everything. There's a better life out there waiting for us.
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Having something to look forward to (what we call 'pantou') is the most important driving force for living. My 'pantou' is being able to travel to several countries at the end of the year; I've planned six this year. In daily life, you also need to continually find things you love to do to dilute the frustration. Spend less time on your phone. The internet is full of emotional landmines, with people endlessly arguing over meaningless topics. Find things you like, things you yearn for—that's how you can live happily.
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Shenzhen didn't use to be like this; the traffic order was actually quite good. But since around 2020, after they loosened regulations on e-bikes, it's become chaotically messy. It's genuinely frustrating.
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I remember back in 2019, the order in Shenzhen was really good. People would even pass bus cards from the back of the bus to the front and then have them passed back. I haven't been there in several years, though. I had no idea it had become like this.