Shunning social life, more Chinese spend weekends at home
17:01, August 16, 2010

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(Xinhua Photo)
"Zhai," referring to staying at home rather than participating in social activities, is becoming more and more popular among citizens in China, especially white collar workers.
The word "Zhai" comes from a Japanese trend that emerged in 1980s and refers to cartoon fans addicted to comics and animation games so much that they rarely come out for social activities. However, the word is used for demonstrating a new lifestyle being adopted in China.

qq.com Photo
However, for those people who are tired of working or studying, this kind of "Zhai" living style on weekend is an effective way for workaholics to release themselves from the heavy load they have to facing during workdays. The weekend lifestyle is reasonable because they are not Internet addicts. They are just people who want to enjoy their own holidays.
According to an online survey, more than 65 percent of interviewees approve this lifestyle and consider it as "low carbon and economic." Still some interviewees believe the lifestyle is caused by the high living cost and social barriers in big cities.
By Wang Qianyuanxue, People's Daily Online
(Editor:王千原雪)
