Economic Downturn Makes Job Hunting Difficult and Life Challenging! Chinese Netizens: One Day at a Time

A concerned Chinese netizen asks: How far are we from everyone starving? (video screenshot)

[People News] On various social media platforms in China, including Xiaohongshu, Weibo, Zhihu, Maimai, and Tieba, many netizens are engaging in authentic discussions and sharing their thoughts on the current economic situation and job market. While some extreme or highly sensitive comments may face censorship and bans from the platforms, netizens often resort to metaphors, homophones, and realistic expressions to articulate their personal feelings.

At the end of last month, a netizen from Guangdong Province shared a post on Xiaohongshu, expressing their concerns about how the current economic climate and job market are affecting personal life and mental well-being, which unexpectedly resonated with many others.

In the post, the Guangdong netizen expressed frustration over their overwhelming workload, stating, "In recent months, I've been so busy that I don't want to talk; I just want to zone out, as staring at the computer for long periods is extremely uncomfortable. At the beginning of this month, I finally wrapped up a challenging task, only to be immediately faced with a wave of data calculations and income structure adjustments. Watching the data daily not only strains my eyes but also causes headaches; everything hurts. However, when it comes to something as sensitive as income, I can't avoid double-checking it, not to mention the extensive communication and confirmation work involved, along with adjustments to the income data."

He continued, saying: "Upon reflection, having a job right now is something to be truly thankful for, especially given the current circumstances. Many of my friends are either already laid off or on the verge of being laid off. It's tough for both bosses and employees; everyone is facing challenges. While it's easy to complain, I still hope everyone can maintain their passion for life and work. We can't change the broader environment, but we can adjust our mindset and actions." The post also included the hashtag 'economic downturn'.

A significant number of Chinese netizens are expressing their frustrations about life amid unemployment. (Image sourced from Xiaohongshu)

This netizen's sentiments quickly struck a chord, prompting comments from users across various provinces, transforming the comment section into a forum for grievances.

"I've deleted all my shopping apps. I used to spend over 30 yuan on haircuts, but now I only go for quick trims";

"Looking back, the so-called economic upturn was merely an illusion";

"The true economic upturn was just a bubble inflated by real estate, and the current economy is simply a return to reality";

"I remember 11 years ago, before I got married, I would go shopping with friends after work, and when we got tired, we would say let's catch a movie, or have dinner and sing, and there were bars, and the outdoor barbecue and skewer shops were bustling even at midnight... back then, there were no shops that couldn't find tenants. Now, nearly half of the storefronts on the street are closed or up for transfer";

"In this current climate, being able to keep a job is indeed a stroke of luck. Many around me have faced layoffs or salary cuts, and no one knows what tomorrow will bring. If we can hold on for another day, that's a victory in itself."

A netizen has found that two other delivery riders, like him, are graduates from prestigious universities. (Video screenshot)

How far are we from hunger?

On Chinese social media, it is common to see netizens expressing their frustrations about the challenges of job hunting and unemployment. However, these topics can easily provoke a sensitive reaction from the authorities. As a way to cope, netizens have resorted to using homophones to voice their feelings.

In their posts, netizens mentioned that companies now refer to layoffs as 'transferring talent to society' or 'graduating,' and they often humorously remark, 'Today it’s my turn to graduate.'

Many recent graduates or unemployed young people are struggling to find suitable jobs and have opted to stay home doing housework for their parents while receiving 'living expenses,' referring to themselves as 'full-time children.' Others have chosen to 'stay at home' to prepare for civil service or graduate school entrance exams (civil service exam/graduate school exam).

Previously, graduates from top universities or employees of large firms preferred high-paying jobs in technology and finance. Now, a significant number of master's and doctoral graduates are unable to secure employment, and they are all rushing to apply for positions within the system, grassroots civil service, or state-owned enterprises, claiming that they value 'stability above all.'

It's not just private companies that are laying off employees; even those once considered to have secure jobs, such as civil servants, teachers, and state-owned enterprise employees, are frequently discussing issues like 'performance cancellation,' 'allowance reductions,' or 'salary cuts.'

A middle-aged professional woman, after losing her job, has reluctantly entered the competition for the position of dormitory supervisor. (Video screenshot)

The influx of young people and university graduates into the job market has led many companies to outright reject applicants over the age of 35. This phenomenon has prompted netizens to coin the phrase '35-year-old unemployment curse' to illustrate the challenges faced by middle-aged job seekers. They liken the post-unemployment options to 'Jixiang Sanbao and Ironman Triathlon,' which include driving for Didi (a ride-hailing service), delivering food, and working in express delivery.

The term 'three pitfalls of entrepreneurship' refers to the ventures of opening a café, starting a flower shop, and running a convenience store, suggesting that these paths can quickly deplete one's severance pay.

Many individuals describe their strategies for coping with financial hardship using phrases like 'consumption downgrade,' 'defensive savings,' 'it's not that I can't afford big brands, but Pinduoduo offers better value,' 'painless decluttering,' 'eating at community canteens,' and 'poor man's meal package' (affordable combo meals from various fast-food chains).

For those who adopt a wait-and-see or pessimistic view of the housing market, netizens often express their stance with the phrase, 'not buying a house, not buying a car, not getting married, not having kids,' humorously referring to themselves as the 'four no youth.'
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