Not everyone holds the same view, however. For freelancer tutor Guan Aizi, 29, those who subscribe to bai lan “haven’t been dragging the country back because we are not aimless or perhaps a burden to our mother and father, families and society”.
Guan chooses to teach no more than two courses per day and usually spends the rest of her period on her newfound hobby, skateboarding.
Just a year ago, her life contains 15-hour work days.
“When I graduated, We felt invincible, full of energy and abilities. So long as I work hard, something would be possible because I’m young. There’ll be opportunities and time, ” said Guan.
She realised, however , that the “rewards had been disproportionate to (her) efforts”.
“I felt really tired every day. I experienced my body couldn’t cope… I felt anxious, ” she mentioned.
“No matter how hard you try, how much difficulty you work, maybe you’re just not just like others. Maybe your end point doesn’t even compare to people’s starting point. ”
So the lady chose what’s “really good” for her: The bai lan lifestyle.