Summary of the Key Points
Typhoon “Baihaidun” caused widespread traffic disruptions in Shanghai (subway services were halted, and overpasses were flooded), yet many workers still braved the rain to commute to work. Behind this situation lies the sense of responsibility of essential frontline workers such as bus drivers and traffic police, as well as the helplessness of most ordinary workers who cannot afford to be absent due to workplace pressures (fear of losing wages or getting fired) and the nature of their jobs (no option to work from home). The typhoon not only exposed the difficult circumstances faced by these workers but also revealed the lack of compassion in some companies.
1. How difficult is it to commute during a typhoon? “Survival-style commuting” under paralyzed transportation
With the arrival of the typhoon, Shanghai’s traffic was almost completely paralized: multiple subway lines were closed or significantly reduced in service, and ground and elevated roads became impassable. Rideshare services had long waiting times (over 200 minutes), and even with extra fees, it was uncertain to get a ride. Normally empty bus routes were packed like sardines, with stations flooded to the ankles, and people stood in lines under umbrellas. Traffic police had to form human barriers to maintain order—netizens described the crowd as “like zombies chasing buses.” Even if you managed to catch a ride, flooded sections could submerge the vehicle, leaving passengers with their feet in water, making them feel like “saltwater fish.” Those riding electric bikes or bicycles simply braved the rain and water.
In short, if you want to go to work, you first have to overcome the traffic chaos; every step is a battle against the weather and the overwhelming crowd.
2. Why do people still go to work despite the danger? It’s not that they don’t want to rest, but they can’t afford to stop
It’s not that workers are fearless of danger; it’s that they “don’t dare to stop”:
- Essential jobs must be attended to: Without bus drivers, traffic police, and repair personnel, the city would come to a halt—they are the “screws” that keep life going and cannot afford to be absent.
- Ordinary workers can’t afford to stop: Requests for leave are often rejected by bosses (“If others can handle it, why can’t you?”); missing work could result in wage deductions, job transfers, or even termination. Some jobs don’t allow for remote work (such as delivery drivers, mall salespeople, and hourly workers), meaning they earn nothing if they’re not there today. They’ve calculated that the cost of missing a day (losing wages) is higher than the risk of getting wet.
3. Those who advise you not to go to work are in a different “choice situation”
Those who suggest staying home during a typhoon don’t mean to be harsh; they simply have options that you don’t: their companies allow remote work, their jobs can be done online, and they won’t face wage deductions. But for you, either your job requires your presence, your boss is unreasonable, or you risk losing your income if you’re off even for one day.
It’s not about who is right or wrong; it’s about the difference in circumstances: some can afford to be flexible, while others must persevere due to different survival pressures.
4. The truth revealed by the typhoon: Are we “struggling” or “being pushed by life”?
On regular days, the rush hour commutes are seen as a sign of “self-discipline” and “hard work”; during a typhoon, it becomes a nightmare. But in both cases, we’re essentially being driven by life’s demands—working on time for our salaries, mortgages, and to support our families.
The typhoon also highlights the lack of compassion in some companies: if they don’t offer flexible working arrangements or force you to work in the rain, it likely indicates a lack of humanistic care. You can’t change the broader environment, but next time you look for a job, consider whether the company provides humane alternatives during emergencies.
Once the rain stops and everything returns to normal, this typhoon at least makes you realize that some of our “struggles” are actually out of necessity, and you have the choice to treat your work with more kindness.
(The entire text is written in plain language, without technical jargon, making it easy for non-financial readers to understand.)