What does the ideal weekend look like for you? Sleeping in, making yourself a coffee and a lovely brunch, meeting up with friends to shop or skateboard, and enjoying an alcoholic drink (or many) at the bar come nightfall? Many Chinese youths strive for this lifestyle but find it just beyond their reach.
According to a survey conducted by the Chinese online publication Tamen, many young people in China would like to be active on weekends but always do nothing or simply watch TV. The reason is that their busy workweeks leave them feeling drained. Around half of the respondents admitted that they find it hard to separate their work and leisure time, as many do overtime or frequently check work-related emails and messages on the weekends.
The survey revealed that only 1 in 10 youth spend their weekends engaging in outdoor activities. As a result, most rate their average weekend a low 5.7 out of 10. Interestingly, the younger they are, the more frustrated they feel. It would seem that while some young people embrace the idea of ‘lying flat’ at work, being stagnant on the weekends feels like a waste of time.
If given a choice, most young Chinese workers would spend their two work-free days with their partners and enjoy new experiences together. Surprisingly, very few chose to spend their weekends meeting and making new friends, instead choosing to spend time alone or with their pets.
