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?

  • Andy@slrpnk.net
    851·
    4 days ago

    First, the most honest answer is that it’s a shitty question. This ‘Sophie’s Choice’ promise is inherently designed to disrespect someone. In real life, you just react and try to save both, most likely based on who is a better swimmer, is closer, etc.

    But the question between who you prioritize is valid. The answer is subjective, of course, but my advice would be that you prioritize your mother over a casual girlfriend/bf, but you prioritize a finance or spouse over your mother. And this isn’t hard to explain to Mom. I did. I said, “Hey Mom: remember how Dad always put Grandma in front of you because he was such a wimp, and it made you feel absolutely terrible? Well good news: you raised a better man than she did.”

    She didn’t love it, but she got it. And she respected it.

    • EndlessNightmare@reddthat.com
      23·
      4 days ago

      First, the most honest answer is that it’s a shitty question. This ‘Sophie’s Choice’ promise is inherently designed to disrespect someone. In real life, you just react and try to save both, most likely based on who is a better swimmer, is closer, etc.

      I remember a few years ago when there seemed to be a bunch of big predictions with self-driving cars. And the dilemmas that people presented were ridiculous.

      “Should the automatic car swerve off the road and onto the sidewalk so that it hits the homeless drug addict instead of the doctor who is also a father of 3?” Ah yes, because the car is going to have all that information, and because swerving into something is a better option that full application of the brakes.