Letters | ‘Lying flat’ is not a new fad for China, but Hong Kong must still buck the trend
- In old China, the phenomenon was restricted to idlers from wealthy families
- If and when this phenomenon reaches wider sections of society, we must not overlook its social impact
“Lying flat” has never been that unusual a social phenomenon in Asian countries such as China and Japan. The phenomenon was observed after a country or society had accumulated considerable wealth. In Japan, which has lost three decades after its economic bubble burst, you can only imagine how many otaku have been created.
In ancient China, kids from wealthy families were taught the Four Books and Five Classics and if they passed the examinations, they would become part of the prestigious gentry class.
But if they could not pass the imperial examinations, they learned to be merchants or looked after their family businesses.
But if they didn’t do business, they would pick up habits like smoking opium – lying flat on an opium bed, as it were. You could say they were parasites on society. But as they were very rich, their social impact was small and limited: they brought misfortune only to the family or family business.
However, if and when this phenomenon reaches wider sections of society, we must not overlook its social impact. This social issue may turn out to be a political issue and therefore we should think of ways to deal with it.