Editorials

Gaps in who we strive to be

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-04-27 07:59

Editor's note: The poll by Reader's Digest shows a gap between what we want to get from others and what we can do for others.

Firefighters, soldiers in the People's Liberation Army and farmers may be the most trustworthy workers in China, but they certainly are not the most desired.

A Monday poll in the Reader's Digest magazine said that people trust these three types of workers more than any other. This is no surprise since firefighters and PLA soldiers rush to where they are needed, as we all saw in the recent rescue operations in the Yushu and Wenchuan earthquakes.

Farmers are trustworthy because farming is not that sophisticated. They don't need to cheat or play any trick in fulfilling their work.

What is ironic is that none of the three are among the list of occupations that are most pursued by jobseekers. Five of the most popular professions are psychiatrists, software engineers, tourist guides, professional designers and gold investment analysts. All are well-paid jobs.

As a matter of fact, they are not as popular as government employees. Examinations for civil servants attract more than a million applicants each year; it's quite common for several hundred applicants to compete for just one spot. People realize that working in government departments gives them the chance of climbing up the social and financial ladder and to enjoy privileges incomparable anywhere else.

The poll by Reader's Digest shows a gap between what we want to get from others and what we can do for others. Much needs to be done to narrow this gap although it's unrealistic that the gap will ever go away.

In light of this dilemma, maybe people should follow the code of conduct laid down by Confucius: "Don't do to others what you don't want others to do to you".

(China Daily 04/27/2010 page8)