By 2009, most of the first batch of China’s post-80s generation had entered their thirties. Thirty is a symbol of maturity. The ancient saying goes: “At thirty, one should be able to stand on his own.” Traditionally, men at the age of thirty are supposed to have already established a family and career and be able to shoulder responsibilities independently. But the post-80s generation who were born in 1980 and just stepped into their thirties are not like this at all. The term “post-80s” has been endowed with too many meanings. They can’t get rid of the rebellious and childish symbols given by this era, but they still have to endure the unchanging ancient teachings. Therefore, there is an awkward situation faced by the post-80s men at the age of thirty.
1. By the time I turned thirty, everyone was asking me why I didn't get married. Eventually, I felt that not getting married was a great sin. At the age of thirty, it's naturally the time to establish a family and career. While others can't interfere much with career issues, establishing a family becomes the main focus of attention from relatives and friends. "Do you have a girlfriend? When will you get married? Do you want me to introduce someone to you?" Living in these nagging every day, I even dare not go home on weekends and don't dare to visit relatives during festivals and holidays.
2. By the time I turned thirty, I suddenly realized that I no longer had the qualification to use youth as an excuse for mistakes, but in fact, I was still immature and unreliable. In the face of the rise of the post-90s generation, the post-80s generation at the age of thirty can no longer claim to be "young." Without the passion and drive of youth, they also haven't gained much maturity and steadiness. In the past, when they made mistakes, others would comfort them, saying, "It's okay, young people taking some detours is normal." Now, when they make mistakes, others will sigh deeply, saying, "You're almost thirty..."
3. By the time I turned thirty, I occasionally wanted to indulge myself, but found that my stomach and liver wouldn't cooperate. At the age of twenty, I was full of energy, singing, drinking, and playing games all night long, yet still felt fine the next day. Having not exercised for a long time, I started showing signs of a beer belly. I wanted to play a satisfying game of basketball, but found myself lacking the strength. Wanting to drink heavily with friends until I couldn't return home, I discovered that my stomach couldn't handle it anymore. Indeed, age doesn't spare anyone.
4. By the time I turned thirty, the glitz and glamour of nightlife had passed, and the reality of daily life became more tangible. We, who once pursued luxury and enjoyment, have become quite unfamiliar with brand names. Seeing expensive clothes in store windows, I now walk away. Only after starting to earn money did I understand the difficulties of life. Our youthful indulgences now seem like fleeting dreams. Every month, after receiving our salary, we carefully budget and always look for discounts or sales when shopping. At the age of thirty, how could one not know how to manage life?
5. By the time I turned thirty, my neighbor Xiao Fang had already gotten married, and I still blush when I see her occasionally. Although I'm already thirty, sometimes I still feel like a twenty-year-old boy, unable to grow up. I still play video games, read comics, sing pop songs, and blush when talking to pretty girls. Seeing my neighbor Xiao Fang, I still get excited when greeting her, then suddenly remember that she's probably already married and about to become a mother, which makes me feel quite disheartened.
6. By the time I turned thirty, feeling thirsty on the road, I thought it over and decided to keep walking a few more steps to get home. At the age of thirty, we learned to live frugally. We increasingly realize that money is a good thing, and we rely on it for our future lives, so we can't spend it recklessly. Even when thirsty and wanting to buy a bottle of water, I weigh the cost—two or three yuan for a bottle of water, and there are only a few hundred meters left to get home... Let's just drink plain water at home.
7. For a man at the age of thirty, if he has achieved a little success, he is considered vigorous and capable, and should achieve greater accomplishments. If he hasn't achieved anything, he is considered useless and incapable. If he has succeeded, it's seen as opportunism or even sheer luck. If he wants to further his education, people think he should just work contentedly and ask, "Why take exams? How much better can you get?" If he doesn't seek further education, others will say he lacks ambition. It's said that around the age of thirty determines a man's life, truly leaving him in a difficult position.
8. Aim high but accomplish little. This isn't the lofty aspirations of newly graduated students, but rather doing the worst job and feeling ashamed, while not being able to find the best job. After working for several years, the grand ambitions of graduation have faded, but the current job is always like chicken ribs—unwilling to give up, but tasteless. Wanting to find something better, yet afraid to let go of what they have, time passes slowly as they hesitate.
9. For a man at the age of thirty, if he doesn't look for a partner, it's considered a psychological issue or even a physiological problem. Wanting to find a successful woman is seen as laziness. Wanting to find a simple girl is criticized as luring underage girls. Many post-80s individuals told Zou Youli that they once stubbornly believed that arranged marriages were only for the post-70s generation or even earlier. However, they later realized that arranged marriages have become the mainstream way of marriage for the post-80s generation. One round after another of unsuccessful blind dates has led to numbness and rejection towards blind dates, but they still run around attending them. Friends say, "I am either on a blind date or on the way to one."
10. Both disdainful of grassroots celebrities and abnormally interested in them. Every day on the internet, a batch of internet celebrities emerges, such as Sister Furong and Fairy Tianxian flying around everywhere. Tsinghua University professor Zhou Rong said in "Zero Point Fengyun," "I think these people are a significant contribution to the richness of our society. Only by living in such a world do we feel that life is so rich." I am quite disdainful of these internet celebrities, yet I can't help but pay attention to them. When looking at them, I have to be careful not to be seen by others. If caught, I pretend and say, "I didn't click on it. How did a webpage pop up? Is it a virus?"