Summary of Key Points
This article uses the incident of public officials and real estate executives from Hangzhou Jianfa Jiujubu (a local entertainment venue) being arrested for molesting a female as a starting point to offer a set of “counter-intuitive” self-protection tips for people with different roles in workplace gatherings (low-ranking men, low-ranking women, and high-ranking men). It criticizes the bad habits associated with such events and provides advice on how to avoid risks and protect oneself when attending these gatherings that are unavoidable.
Detailed Analysis
1. The Hangzhou Jiujubu Incident: Highlighting Common Concerns of Workplace Professionals
The incident at the Hangzhou Jiujubu mentioned at the beginning of the article is essentially an example of power abuse against women by those in positions of authority. This situation particularly bothers two groups of people: parents with daughters (such as the author), who worry about their children encountering unpleasant or predatory individuals in society; and workplace professionals, especially those in the real estate industry, who feel pressured to attend these gatherings due to the tough business environment but are also afraid of getting involved in such situations. This paradox—both fear and inability to avoid them—is precisely the reason behind the author’s advice on self-protection.
2. Low-Ranking Men: Avoid Women; Touching the Leaders May Help You Stay Safe?
The author offers a strategy for men with lower positions at these gatherings: never touch women (as it is both illegal and unethical), and certainly don’t help the leaders. If you’re slightly drunk but still conscious, try to approach the most senior male leader present. Why?
- Leaders Care About Their Reputation: They are unlikely to report the incident; if they do, they might even admit their wrongdoing.
- Public Opinion Can Turn in Your Favor: Even if the matter becomes public, people might find it interesting (for example, you could use it as material for a live broadcast).
- It Looks Moral: By protecting the women, you’ll be seen in a positive light.
The author recalls a personal experience from 20 years ago: when he was given a sarcastic response by a female colleague from the client side while delivering documents, he confronted her directly, which made her less likely to cause trouble—because she thought he was both foolish and potentially influential. This shows that leaders’ authority is often built on respect; challenging it can make them less likely to retaliate.
3. Low-Ranking Women: What to Do If You Encounter Unwanted Behavior?
The author advises women with lower positions to run away if you’re alone with a potential aggressor and to call the police immediately; in a group setting, simply slap him. The reasons are straightforward:
- For Senior Leaders: They care more about their reputation, so a slap will likely lead to them calming down rather than escalating the situation.
- For Junior Leaders: Slapping them won’t have much impact, as they don’t hold much power and are unlikely to retaliate.
- The Louder the Slap, the Safer You Are: Everyone might pretend nothing happened, reducing the chances of future problems.
In short, being assertive can protect you even with more respectable individuals.
4. High-Ranking Men: Avoid Unfamiliar Gatherings; If It’s a Familiar One, Touching a Classmate Can Help?
The author advises men in higher positions to think carefully about the purpose of attending the gathering—it’s not just for entertainment but to avoid risks. Try to avoid events organized by strangers; if it’s with colleagues or former roommates, you can touch a classmate if you’re drunk (since they know each other well and won’t take it seriously). This way, you won’t make mistakes and won’t embarrass yourself.
5. Bad Habits in Jiujubus Are Hard to Change, but You Can Use Counter-Intuitive Strategies
The article acknowledges that the real estate industry is challenging, and these bad habits are not something individuals can easily change. However, the author’s suggestions go against common wisdom: subordinates should not flatter their leaders but instead challenge them; women shouldn’t tolerate inappropriate behavior but should stand up for themselves. These methods aren’t meant to change the environment but to help you find ways to navigate the existing rules and avoid risks. Sometimes, breaking with convention can be the best solution.
While these self-protection tips may seem unconventional, they essentially use a “fight fire with fire” approach to counter the power dynamics and bad practices in workplace gatherings—the key is to not play by the other party’s rules and instead stay safe.