Even strangers say this man is a bad son
He bowed, he missed his train, his parents cried. But the internet didn’t forgive him.
PUBLISHED : Thursday, 11 February, 2016, 2:59pm
UPDATED : Thursday, 11 February, 2016, 3:26pm
Gloria Chan
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The man bows before his parents at Zibo railway station. Photo: SCMP Pictures
A man who had not visited his elderly mother and father for four years for the Lunar New Year holiday in China missed his train back to Beijing as he repeatedly bowed in apology and shame before his parents, a news website reported.
The man, Zhang Jinli, was photographed at Zibo railway station in Shandong province on Wednesday night bowing to his parents as they held onto each other and wiped away their tears, Iqilu.com reported.
Zhang’s parents are about 80 years old and live alone in Zibo, according to the article. Zhang, 46, is based with his family in Beijing where he works.
He booked a Wednesday night train back to the capital, but facing his elderly parents who were at the station to see him off, Zhang became emotional and bowed repeatedly to his tearful parents.
He had to take a later train because he missed the one he had booked amid his tearful goodbyes.
The incident has prompted a mixed reaction on social media in China.
“[Your] parents are 80 years old! Not going home for 4 years? What’s the use of bowing? Just makes the parents sad!” said one comment.
Another commenter wrote: “I am so poor I have nothing, even my transportation fees were borrowed, but I still return home for the Lunar New Year. So I look down on you.”
Another wrote: “Life is difficult! You are not unfilial! You are just forced by life [circumstances].”
“Everyone has difficulties, everyone has a bitter story. We should see things rationally and be more inclusive,” wrote another.
