Context: So I just remember this after digging through memories.
So my mother was watching/reading some weird social media thing and there was this this question was asked to guys in China, and it’s supposed to be a dilemma because if you say save your mother, your girlfriend will break up with you, if you say save your girlfriend, your mom’s gonna disown you (cuz filial piety).
And so anyways, I think I was like 15 or something, and my mom asked me the question… I kinda froze because idk what to say… it was such a weird question. Then mom was like: “Of course you have to save me first, I raised you, remember? You only have one mother in this world.” … Something something… “People with blood relations to you comes first”.
Now reflecting on that memory, that was so awkward…
Ever been asked this question?
How would you answer if your mom asked that?
I’d save the one who didn’t ask me no-win riddles.
If my mom asked I would say her, but this is a f-ed up question to ask someone.
Modern day Koan
Some mothers and girlfriends can swim.
So yes it’s a weird question. It doesn’t describe the situation very well as to how a person is drowning like is it fatigue? Have they somehow been knocked out? Is the situation so dire that it does not actually really matter who is rescued first and you could actually rescue both?
It’s like if the world opened up a pit to hell and you can only save one relative who will it be
It’s so unlikely that you’d be in that position so much as you’d be likely also falling into the pit of hell so it’s just creating meaningless drama and if someone keeps posing such questions to you I’d keep an eye on why they are dramatizing so much. Like why do they need to keep reestablishing their meaning to everyone’s life in comparison to other people who also hold meaning? Why does someone else need to be reduced for someone to feel meaningful? That’s some narcissistic traits being cracked open there.
Is jumping in so I can drown too an acceptable answer?
I hate my biological mother and I never have a girlfriend.
To answer your question if my mother asked me this my response would be, “Stop calling me you filthy junkie.”
“I’d hire a prostitute for the occasion just so I can save her instead”
My mom wouldn’t ask because she knows I wouldn’t choose her.
However if she did ask my response would just be laughter because is such a dumb question.
I inherently care more about someone I chose to make part of my family than I do either of my parents.
Pshhh, easy. Same person.
I’d answer by saying I’ll first save whichever one doesn’t ask me questions like this.
Bye Mom.
It is easy for me to answer, my mom is old. My wife can probably tread water while I get my mom to shore.
I told my wife this and she replied that she is a strong, independent woman who can swim perfectly well on her own. The right answer is that I should grab my mom and start bringing her towards the shore while my wife swims ahead and helps me pull her in once we get to shallower water.
I’ve heard this one before and I’ve heard that the “correct” answer is to save your mother because “you can always get another wife but you can never get another mother.”
I’ve also heard that the answer to this (originally Chinese) question is indicative of cultural values (filial piety like you say) but I wonder how differently people would answer in a wide survey… If my mom asked me, I would choose my mom because I don’t have a wife.
Wife, my child needs her and my mum’s no help.
I’ve never been asked that… but my mother’s lived a full life.
I know my mom can swim, but my wife cannot. So, I’d save my wife.
