When the cat is gone, the mice play, but in a good way in China, where young people play hide-and-seek in the latest fashion to make new friends (or new buddies, if you will).
Comparing the game to Tom and Jerry cartoons, young people organize hide-and-seek games in shopping malls, parks and other public places, through social media platforms such as WeChat and Xiaohongshu.
These events, which have become popular since last September, can attract hundreds of players simultaneously and appear to be very popular among people in their 20s, according to Chinese news sites.
Some players say the game allows them to relive their childhood memories, while others say it’s a good way to exercise and meet new people.
Chinanews.com reported on November 20 that more than 40 people gathered at a large shopping mall in Jinan, China’s Shandong province, to play hide-and-seek at night.
Their reporters’ investigations found that games of this type have become popular on social media and are being played in cities across China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Shenzhen.
The rules are simple, with slight variations for different events.
Players start by drawing lots to play as a cat or a mouse. Those chosen to be cats will have to catch up with those playing mice, and these roles are reversed when someone is caught.
Using the Chinese navigation app Gaode Map, players will share their locations with each other to join the game. They also wear fluorescent bracelets to distinguish themselves from passersby.
The player who catches the most becomes the “Cat King,” while the player who evades capture throughout the game is the “Mouse King.”
At the match, which took place at Jinan Mall, players took home stuffed toys, thermal mugs and other prizes, Chinanews.com reported. The registration fee to participate is 5 yuan (95 cents).
Event organizer Liu Sen told the news site that the event is very popular among college students and young office workers.
Zhang Tao, an experienced player, said playing hide-and-seek allows him to “buy the most fun with the least amount of money,” Chinanews.com reported. He added that gaming allows him to recover from work pressures and make close friends.
Psychologist Li Xianghua told Chinanews.com that this game meets the physical and social needs of young people. It’s a battle of intelligence and courage, and exercise helps relax the mind and body.
However, lawyer Wang Ting said hide-and-seek activities are not without risks.
The Kangqiao Law Firm partner added that the organizers must ensure that the event is safe and public, and the players must also worry about their safety.
2023-11-22 22:35:29
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