42-Year-Old HK Man Faces Backlash Over Plan to 'Lie Flat' on Father's Pension
Bastillepost · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
A 42-year-old single Hong Kong man has ignited a firestorm of online debate after revealing plans to quit his job and live off his retired civil servant father's monthly pension. The man, who lives with his parents and has no intention of marrying, posted on an online forum under the title "My Dad Is a Retired Civil Servant, and I Want to Lie Flat," expressing his desire to leave the workforce and rely on the 10,000 HKD his father gives him monthly . The post drew immediate backlash from netizens who accused him of parasitism and questioned the long-term viability of his plan.
Key Points
- The man is 42 years old, single, lives with his parents, and receives 10,000 HKD monthly from his retired civil servant father
- Civil servant pensions in Hong Kong are paid monthly until the recipient's death and are not inheritable by family members
- The man faces a 23-year gap from age 42 until he becomes eligible for elderly benefits at 65, during which he would have no income if his father passes away
- Netizens sarcastically suggested the man could become a "godson" of his father or prepare a taxi license as a backup plan
- Some commenters advised him to find part-time work at catering or social welfare organizations to maintain social connections
Why It Matters
The controversy reflects broader anxieties among Hong Kong's younger generation about housing affordability, career prospects, and the sustainability of traditional retirement models in one of the world's most expensive cities. The intense public reaction underscores the tension between the "lying flat" movement and traditional values of self-reliance and filial responsibility.
The controversy reflects broader anxieties among Hong Kong's younger generation about housing affordability, career prospects, and the sustainability of traditional retirement models in one of the world's most expensive cities. The intense public reaction underscores the tension between the "lying flat" movement and traditional values of self-reliance and filial responsibility.