In an unusual protest against China’s intense work culture, young people are pretending to be birds on social media. Platforms like TikTok are flooded with videos of men and women tucking into oversized t-shirts, perching on furniture, flapping their “wings,” and even chirping, according to Babelfish Asia.
The ‘bird’ trend symbolizes a longing for freedom, as many users, exhausted by the rigorous 996 work schedule (9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week), fantasize about escaping constant pressure.
“Youth is but a summer dream,” wrote one user, while another “chirped” his own song: “Can’t help but turn into a stubborn bird, against the wind to the end.” A third user expressed in a video, “I don’t want to work, I want to be free like a bird.”
Historical context of social media protests
China’s youth have a history of using social media to express their frustrations with work culture. The “bird” trend follows the “bai lan” (“let it rot”) movement, which emerged in 2022. Originating in the NBA gaming community, “bai lan” signified intentionally losing a game with low winning chances but evolved into a broader symbol of discontent with demanding work expectations.
In another quirky trend, stressed-out young professionals in China are turning to banana plants as desk buddies. Known as “stop banana green” (ting zhi jiao lu in Mandarin, which translates to “stop anxiety”), this involves cultivating bananas right on their desks.
China’s long workweeks, often exceeding 49 hours, have driven young professionals to seek innovative stress-reduction methods. Last month, the “20-minute park effect” went viral on Xiaohongshu, emphasizing the benefits of short urban park visits. Additionally, tree-hugging became a popular stress reliever among Chinese youth last year.
These trends highlight the creative ways China’s youth are coping with and protesting against the country’s demanding work culture, using social media to voice their desire for a more balanced and free lifestyle.