Live data from Hacker News

R U OK?

ruok.org.au

81–90 of 214 posts

Re: R U OK?

#81

I think any time is fine to ask "Are you OK?" In Chinese, 你好嗎?is as common as hello. The reply indicates the level of trust they have in you. If they say "Yes, of course!" then there's nothing to worry out. "Fine" means they're not fine, but they don't trust you enough to tell you why. If they actually tell you what's really on their heart, you now know that this person thinks of you as a trustworthy friend!

It's the same almost anywhere. The greeting question doesn't matter. It can be Hi or What's Up. People open up to people they trust.

Re: R U OK?

#82
post #2

No

You're not alone. If you need someone to talk to, I'll listen. Here's some headphones, MP3s [0], and chocolate. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help. [0] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=welW04x876g&list=PLfNF8TQij0...

Where's the chocolate?

Re: R U OK?

#83

Single dad - with two boys who delight and terrorise in equal measure. Working in an industry in constant flux, trying to make the right moves and play to my skills. Knowing all along that I am not the best at what I do by a long mile. I've had two years that have often felt horrendous, and that's putting it lightly. I am approaching 40, and have taken a turn for the worse in terms of lock down weight... Weirdly coro…

Same things, though no kids. Super lucky to be remote and working a decent job, and reconnecting with a lot of family and friends via text/skype, but also trying to hold on in a rocky industry and not sure of the next steps.

Re: R U OK?

#84

No. I don't think I am depressed. I just don't want life. I was given a life without my consent, atleast give me option to exit without pain. People have children for selfish reasons, their life has no meaning, bored, what will they do in life, so have children, life becomes less painful. Now those children will have to do the same, it's a cycle. There is no meaning to be honest. People talks nice things but ultimate…

You're right you don't sound depressed. You however, sound very very negative.

People often think realism sounds negative.

Re: R U OK?

#85

Not okay. It's a worrying time being a Chinese person. On the one hand, I don't support CCP (hence the throw away); I find the dictatorship very troubling. Furthermore, the growing patriotism and nationalism makes me anxious about the next generation of Chinese. On the other hand, many people outside tend to treat Chinese people and CCP as a whole, and denounce and dismiss everything we do. More and more people sugge…

I feel your anxiety as a chinese expat/immigrant/diaspora. However it's worth reminding that a lot of these feeling might come from online sensationalism or social media amplification. Real life is a bit different and you are more likely to deal with rational people. I've been living in a few European countries for more than a decade and fortunate enough to have acquainted folks from all walks of life in many cultures. The general public is surprisingly kind, knowledgeable, and tolerant towards sensitive or even ideological issues. I think communication is key and understanding can build many bridges. More bridges will eventually become a plane.

Re: R U OK?

#86
post #57
post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

On a more fun note, what is considered "Chinese" varies greatly by language (it's Greek in English): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_to_me#In_other_languages In German, wikipedia claims "Polish in reverse" (though there's no other reference to that phrase on the Net, other than Reverse Polish Notation).

As a German, I've never heard "Polish in reverse", but "Spanish" works exactly that way ("Das kommt mir spanisch vor").

"Can't you understand what I'm saying? Am I speaking Chinese?" is pretty common as well.

Re: R U OK?

#87

No. I don't think I am depressed. I just don't want life. I was given a life without my consent, atleast give me option to exit without pain. People have children for selfish reasons, their life has no meaning, bored, what will they do in life, so have children, life becomes less painful. Now those children will have to do the same, it's a cycle. There is no meaning to be honest. People talks nice things but ultimate…

> No. I don't think I am depressed.

Yup, that's a depression. Stuck in a gray cloud of meaningless and dull pain. Neither bright sunshine, nor black night. And you are a smart person and probably convinced yourself by logical reasoning that's how life is supposed to be. Look for professional help. When my car is broken I accept the fact that there are people who are better at fixing cars than me.

Re: R U OK?

#88

No. I don't think I am depressed. I just don't want life. I was given a life without my consent, atleast give me option to exit without pain. People have children for selfish reasons, their life has no meaning, bored, what will they do in life, so have children, life becomes less painful. Now those children will have to do the same, it's a cycle. There is no meaning to be honest. People talks nice things but ultimate…

You're right you don't sound depressed. You however, sound very very negative.

People with mental health problems will be negative and tricky to deal with. If you can't help, just stay away, but please refrain from criticising, don't make it even harder for them.

Re: R U OK?

#89
post #78
post #23

on a side note, "R U OK" is a meme in China, originally taken from a clip of Xiaomi's president LeiJun public English speach. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRU-fwS6aAU

Funny how four letters can take one in so many tangential directions. For some of us old farts, it's also a memorable KMFDM song from 1999: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEC1qpfLY1E

I was going to mention this song too. I'm glad to see someone (ultra heavy) beat me to it!

Re: R U OK?

#90

No. I don't think I am depressed. I just don't want life. I was given a life without my consent, atleast give me option to exit without pain. People have children for selfish reasons, their life has no meaning, bored, what will they do in life, so have children, life becomes less painful. Now those children will have to do the same, it's a cycle. There is no meaning to be honest. People talks nice things but ultimate…

> No. I don't think I am depressed. Yup, that's a depression. Stuck in a gray cloud of meaningless and dull pain. Neither bright sunshine, nor black night. And you are a smart person and probably convinced yourself by logical reasoning that's how life is supposed to be. Look for professional help. When my car is broken I accept the fact that there are people who are better at fixing cars than me.

Maybe you're right. But is anyone who is in this position supposed to feel optimistic? And sometimes it is just a certain brain chemistry but sometimes the circumstances are just crappy
Post reply on HN