Newsletter (2017-2018) November 2017 Newsletter | Page 13

life balance is virtually non-existent in our dictionary.
Some are workaholics because they find the meaning
of their lives at work. Some work just to survive. They
aren’t interested in their work. Yet, they keep working
because they need the money. No matter why they
work, they are destined to be confined in the cage of a
workplace.
However, in western countries like the US,
entertainment plays a huge part in people’s lives. Kai
also lived in the US said he hated the long working
hours in his learning centre here. He did all he could to
get his two days off. He has a clear concept of how
much time he should dedicate to his work, because he
needs to ensure he gets enough time to explore other
parts of life besides work.
For Hong Kongers, we focus more on the group as a
whole rather than on people as an individual. For
instance, if I were to apply for a job, I would think, “The
salary is attractive,” or, “The working environment is
comfortable.” Yet, I would NOT think, “The company’s
work ethics quite fit mine ,” or, “My boss seems to
provide me many opportunities to shine,” or, “ I can
learn so much out of this job.” We are less likely to
rationalise our decisions based on benefits to
ourselves.
It results the ‘walking dead’ kind of mindset inside
Hong Kongers’ heart. Somehow, we feel we have got
to work. But why? Shouldn’t we think about how work
or the money gained from work achieves some life-
long goals of ours?
Life Education
We’re told what to do from a young age. Whether we
like it or not, it’s not about us but about what our
parents think is right. For reading, studying, playing
the piano, et cetera, we don’t have a say.
PHOTO: 2017's choice for straight A students. 
(such as Maths, Chemistry, English etc.). If you doubt
how long the list is, simply go downstairs and buy
something from McDonald’s. Along the way, you will see
the list up on the tutorial centres’ billboards and
double-deckers in every district, with promising tutors
crossing their arms and smiling at you.
This tacit study list leads us to over-focus on the
academic achievement and to forget the more
important like enjoyment. To be on the A-list, kids study
like robots, being forced to neglect the fun. For
instance, when selecting an undergraduate programme,
youngsters who like drawing, playing basketball or the
guitar have to listen to what their parents say.
Those people, therefore, live in their parents’ dreams
perhaps for the whole life. But, since the children then
are loaded with work and chores, they probably don’t
People say it is important to do things out of interest; have time to think about what they want to do and what
nonetheless, this can hardly be the case in this
their goals are. I often picture those kids waking up one
beloved land. Because interest is NOT on our study day and they sadly realising they don’t like their chosen
list; crazily enough, a series of academic subjects is  subject and work. Then everything’s too late.
NOVEMBER 2017
|
13