No job, but still 9-to-5: Why China's unemployed are pretending to go to work every day
Young adults in China are increasingly pretending to go to work to avoid the social stigma and family pressure associated with unemployment. They spend their days in public spaces like libraries and cafes to maintain the appearance of professional stability.
Why it matters
This trend highlights the intense societal pressure and economic anxiety facing China's youth in a challenging job market.
Tired of relatives asking, “So, where are you working now?” Some young Chinese adults have found an unusual way to dodge the question — getting dressed, leaving home on time and heading out for the day.But there is one catch: they have no workplace to report to. Instead, they spend their days in libraries, parks, cafes or shopping malls, all while keeping their unemployment under wraps.Their workplace may be make-believe, but the pressure to look employed is very real.For 32-year-old Coco Li, even a photograph of lunch nearly gave away the truth.
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