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?
My mom can swim and my girlfriend doesn’t exist
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.
If my mom asked it, my response would be my girlfriend. If my girlfriend asked it, id say save my mom. If they both asked it, I’d get a beer at the bar and let them both drown. Cause fuck you if you’re going to play those kinds of games with me.
If they both asked…
If I’m unlucky enough to have both women think this is a good question to ask, then I think I would realistically drown myself.
The only right answer is that I would save both of them by drowning myself, having them use my corpse as a emergency floatation device. 2 weeks after the occurrence, they would begin smelling brackish water no matter where they are, followed by brief glances of what appears to be a disgruntled boyfriend/son in the corner of the room as I begin to haunt them for asking me such a stupid question.
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”
“But I’d expect you to be the only one available”
I’d answer by saying I’ll first save whichever one doesn’t ask me questions like this.
“Mom, I never would have expected you to ask such a mean question.”
Pshhh, easy. Same person.
My mom would probably be very angry if I choose to save her over my wife.
My wife can swim ten times better then me tho, so she probably ends up saving both my mom and me
Yup. Same here. I suspect she’d rather die than lose the oppertunity to become a grandparent.
I don’t have a partner and I’m a PADI certified rescue diver.
If I see my mother drowning I’m going to hang around until I’m sure she’s fully dead.
If I see my mother drowning I’m going to hang around until I’m sure she’s fully dead.
Oh jeez, how abusive was her from 1 to 10?
Those philosophical dilemma questions (basically always some variation of the trolley problem) have almost no practical relevance. Situations like that practically never happen in real life and if they do, you won’t have time for moral or philosophical reflections.
Mom. I can always get a new girlfriend.
My mom is dead though, so the girlfriend.
I don’t have a girlfriend though, so I guess I’ll just drown myself.
I don’t answer those questions.
Bye Mom.
I inherently care more about someone I chose to make part of my family than I do either of my parents.
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.
