Asian governments roll out 4-day weeks, WFH to solve fuel crisis caused by war • Hacker News Board

Re: Asian governments roll out 4-day weeks, WFH to solve fuel crisis caused by war

#131

Post by hrimfaxi » Thu, Mar 12, 2026, 6:00 PM UTC

jghn wrote: post #84

neaden wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The thing I feel like is really important to remember whenever thinking about the world and demographics is that most people are Asian. As in more people live in Asia then outside of it. Conversely when a headline or something mentions Asia, it is rare they actually mean the majority of the continent or people living there.

My favorite is when people say they like "asian cuisine" or "asian food". China alone has several distinct cuisines. Why do we act like this is a monolithic concept?

Isn't there a concept of regional cuisine like "Mediterranean cuisine"?

Re: Asian governments roll out 4-day weeks, WFH to solve fuel crisis caused by war

#132

Post by wolvoleo » Thu, Mar 12, 2026, 6:01 PM UTC

alephnerd wrote: post #26

nhubbard wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Maybe a better title would say "Asian nations [independently] roll out 4-day weeks, WFH to solve fuel crisis"?

^ "Some" Asian nations. It's still 5/6 day workweeks in the office in China, India, SK, Japan, HK, and Singapore. Same in the Gulf.

Well, the gulf probably won't be affected? As they can just be supplied by fuel truck or pipeline instead of ship.

Re: Asian governments roll out 4-day weeks, WFH to solve fuel crisis caused by war

#133

Post by electrosphere » Thu, Mar 12, 2026, 6:01 PM UTC

Apocryphon wrote: post #63

electrosphere wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm introverted but very glad I have the option of working from the office and being among fellow staff, we also have a lunchtime exercise club once a week. It's much better for my mental health. In fact, I've added two days working outside of home instead of one because of the benefits. I think 3 days home/2 days office is the sweet spot.

What's your commute like? There are many aspects to the RTO vs. WFH debate, but having to waste away 1-3 hours a day on the road, coupled with the energy use in the OP, really cancels out the mental health aspects of being in office. It even detracts from the amount of work done.

The London office commute is 30 minutes train and 25 minutes walk. I really like that balance as it gives me sunlight, exercise and fresh air.

I work from a library on the other day, thats a 30 minute drive. I tend to leave before 0700 when the roads are peaceful. My car is pretty fuel efficient, i try to hypermile it and get ~50mpg.

Re: Asian governments roll out 4-day weeks, WFH to solve fuel crisis caused by war

#134

Post by darknavi » Thu, Mar 12, 2026, 6:01 PM UTC

wing-_-nuts wrote: post #11

I've long said that WFH is an easy win climate change solution that costs nothing, is well loved by everyone who participates (except management). Turns out in times like this, it's also an energy security measure.

I know it's a meme on HN to say everyone likes WFH, but I (and many but not ICs around me) thrive more in person.

I am 100% more effective in person where I can dev and my desk and bounce ideas off if team mates around me verbally. This can be recreated in a remote environment by having things like a team Discord that folks sit on, but it can feel forced at times (just like communiting to the office I suppose).

My take might be heavily skewed though. I am in games and our environment is highly collaborative.

Re: Asian governments roll out 4-day weeks, WFH to solve fuel crisis caused by war

#135

Post by Mordisquitos » Thu, Mar 12, 2026, 6:04 PM UTC

nikkwong wrote: post #121

Hamuko wrote: post #94

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not really that different from "Europe", especially when you listen to Americans talk about "Europe".

At least in the case of "europe" it could refer to the EU (which obviously is not correct because it doesn't encompass all of europe). But when they are talking about "Asia"—what governing body would they even be referring to? It's obviously non-sensical.

> in the case of "europe" it could refer to the EU (which obviously is not correct because it doesn't encompass all of europe)

Not just that. If we get really pedantic, the EU is not only in Europe but includes territories in Africa (parts of Spain) and Asia (the entirety of Cyprus). And that's not even getting into the intercontinental shenanigans of France!

Re: Asian governments roll out 4-day weeks, WFH to solve fuel crisis caused by war

#136

Post by moooo99 » Thu, Mar 12, 2026, 6:04 PM UTC

butILoveLife wrote: post #33

apercu wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's not a global issue though - I have people who I have worked with for years, we're highly productive and we've never met in person. Especially these days where it's soooo easy to chat, video call, share screens, etc.

But would you be more productive in person? I am just describing my experience. In a 4 hour block, people will ask a dozen questions in-person. WFH, I'm lucky to get a single phone call despite begging them to call to ask questions.

I entered the workforce during covid, underwent a return to office mandate only to get a new job that is fully WFH.

I am easily twice as productive in my own hive than I am in the office. The office is full of distractions, noise, it is not as ergonomic as my setup at home and i get to waste 90min a day commuting.

In some very specific instances i see value in going to the office, productivity during everyday work is not among them

Re: Asian governments roll out 4-day weeks, WFH to solve fuel crisis caused by war

#137

Post by wolvoleo » Thu, Mar 12, 2026, 6:04 PM UTC

Hamuko wrote: post #94

Razengan wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Asia" is one of the dumbest archaic misnomers still in use by Western people

It's not really that different from "Europe", especially when you listen to Americans talk about "Europe".

Yes though Europe is a lot more culturally similar and has a shared government for the most part.

Asia has very distinct countries and in some cases is even at war even if it's a cold one. Like India vs Pakistan, India vs China, North vs South Korea, China vs Taiwan. And customs, languages and (where applicable) religions are more radically different than within Europe too.

It makes less sense calling it "Asia" than it is calling Europe "Europe" :)

Re: Asian governments roll out 4-day weeks, WFH to solve fuel crisis caused by war

#138

Post by electrosphere » Thu, Mar 12, 2026, 6:04 PM UTC

ultratalk wrote: post #98

a456463 wrote: post #79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The keywords that you are not saying are "is a sweet spot FOR YOU" If it is a sweet spot for you fine, I am happy you found it. But DO NOT FORCE all of US who have different sweet spots to meet you at yours.

I don't think GP was forcing anyone to do anything.

Thanks pal, I was not forcing anyone... but I guess my wording made it sound "this applies to everyone!".

I put my comment out there to trigger just this kind of discussion.

Re: Asian governments roll out 4-day weeks, WFH to solve fuel crisis caused by war

#139

Post by vaginaphobic » Thu, Mar 12, 2026, 6:05 PM UTC

butILoveLife wrote: post #33

apercu wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's not a global issue though - I have people who I have worked with for years, we're highly productive and we've never met in person. Especially these days where it's soooo easy to chat, video call, share screens, etc.

But would you be more productive in person? I am just describing my experience. In a 4 hour block, people will ask a dozen questions in-person. WFH, I'm lucky to get a single phone call despite begging them to call to ask questions.

[dead]

Re: Asian governments roll out 4-day weeks, WFH to solve fuel crisis caused by war

#140

Post by abdullahkhalids » Thu, Mar 12, 2026, 6:05 PM UTC

alephnerd wrote: post #31

bsimpson wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Especially because it sounds like the Philippines is pushing for a 4 day workweek, but the rest of SEA is asking people to work from home, use less AC, take the stairs…

It's also Vietnam, Thailand, and unofficially Pakistan. The reality is the bigger Asian nations like China, India, SK, and Japan that worked on building resilient alternatives after the 2022-23 ONG shock due to the Russian Invasion of Ukraine aren't as dramatically impacted. The others didn't or were hit by other crises at the same time. For example, in Pakistan's case, their government raised fuel taxes by around 33…

> eg. I've had my parents say the "taste" of food is worse on electric instead of gas stovetops

If you are using the cooking technique of "bhunai" [1], which is quite common in South Asian cooking, there is a large difference in food quality you can make with an electric and with a gas stove. Gas stoves are able to provide higher heat at consistent levels, and you can tilt the pot to concentrate heat in one corner to intensify the cooking. So I don't disagree with your parents.

[1] bhunai is when you cook meat with spices at very high heat while rapidly stirring it. I think the willingness to burn the spices during this process is what sets this apart from similar techniques in other cuisines, but I am no expert.