Summary of the Key Points
This article reveals a harsh reality: Many young people, driven by fantasies of "poetry and distant places," go to popular cities like Dali and Lijiang to work as volunteers in homestays or restaurants, hoping to easily experience a slow lifestyle and meet interesting people. However, they find themselves exploited by owners who use emotional appeals as a cover for free labor. They are forced to perform various tasks far beyond what was promised (moving books, cleaning, picking up guests, writing copywriting, editing videos, etc.), in exchange for only basic accommodation and food, and some even have their money withheld. The author warns young people that labor should be compensated; they shouldn't make their efforts seem worthless. True volunteering is about serving the public good, not working for free in commercial establishments.
Detailed Analysis
1. Young People's Fantasies of "Poetry and Distant Places" Hit Hard by Reality
Before starting to volunteer, many young people imagine a peaceful life: drinking coffee by the Erhai Lake in the morning, cleaning tables in the afternoon, and engaging in meaningful discussions around a fire at night, with three hours of work healing the entire day. For example, the Chinese literature major in the article thought that volunteering at a book club would involve discussing books and providing travel tips, but on her first day, she was assigned to move 200 books and clean dusty bookshelves, followed by other tasks like picking up guests and responding to negative reviews. The assistant, who wanted to escape the toxic workplace culture of large companies, ended up working as a porter, cleaner, and video editor in a "relaxed" homestay, with such a heavy workload that it caused her back problems. This stark contrast between fantasy and reality is often the first step towards burnout.
2. Owners' "Emotional Traps": Using Artistic Language to Hide Exploitation
Homestay owners are adept at using terms like "relaxed," "fate," "soul sanctuary," and "interesting souls" to make young people feel uncomfortable discussing money. The job descriptions in recruitment posts are poetic, but they hide hidden pitfalls:
- Vague Job Responsibilities: "Book club meetings twice a week" turn out to mean moving books and cleaning bookshelves, while "free time" includes picking up guests, writing copywriting, and cleaning.
- Moral Manipulation: When you ask for a break, the owner says, "Don't be too rigid about dividing tasks." When you ask for compensation, they say, "Talking about money hurts feelings." If you leave early, they accuse you of lacking a sense of commitment. Some even require 12-hour daily work (six days a week with one day off) or volunteer to help with children's homework and perform talents; in essence, it's free labor.
3. Owners' Financial Calculations: Getting Free Labor at Zero Cost
For homestay owners, using the volunteer model is extremely profitable:
- Low Costs: Bedrooms are priced at 30-40 yuan per night during off-season, with minimal expenses for water and electricity, making it almost cost-free.
- High Returns: A volunteer working 4-8 hours a day can be equivalent to half the value of a full-time employee (e.g., cleaning rooms, serving guests, writing copywriting, which is worth at least 3000 yuan per month locally). With just 4-5 volunteers working 2-3 hours each day, the owner can operate the homestay with no salary expenses.
4. Psychological Collapse: Not Only Exploited but Also Losing Self-Esteem
The collapse for young people goes beyond physical exhaustion; it includes a significant psychological imbalance:
- Economic Discomfort: Seeing the owners earn money from guests while struggling to afford basic necessities like milk tea makes them feel that their efforts are not valued.
- Self-Doubt: Owners may use manipulative statements like "You can't handle hard work" or "You lack teamwork spirit" to make the volunteers feel responsible for their own situation. Over time, this leads to a sense of worthlessness and a loss of self-esteem.
- Impact on Guests: If volunteers perform poorly, owners blame them for being irresponsible, making the paying guests the ultimate victims (e.g., if rooms are not cleaned properly).
5. Tips to Avoid Being Exploited
The author offers practical advice to young people:
- Distinguish Between Genuine and Fake Volunteering: True volunteering serves a public good (e.g., cleaning streets, picking up trash, caring for the elderly), while working in homestays or restaurants is commercial exploitation.
- Compensation Is Essential: Either save enough money to live without working in Dali or find a job that provides accommodation and a fair salary (e.g., being a waiter).
- Be wary of vague job descriptions: Recruitments that say "We'll discuss details when you arrive" or "We're like a family" are likely trying to exploit you. A reliable partnership requires clear communication about tasks, hours, and compensation.
Remember: Labor deserves payment; only then can you truly be free, with the confidence to leave at any time without relying on the owner's approval. Don't let your dreams of "poetry and distant places" turn into a situation where you're exploited.
This article serves as a reminder to young people that emotional appeals are not enough to support themselves. It’s better to earn money honestly and then enjoy a real, slow lifestyle.