White collar recipe: apartment, car, 20,000 salary

A micro blog laid out 10 criteria for 2012 new Chinese white-collar workers on Monday, stirring hot discussions among Internet users, many of whom say they can hardly achieve the criteria in their lifetimes. The post was forwarded more than 20,000 times and got nearly 3,000 comments, Changjiang Times reported.

The new white-collar worker's criteria for 2012 are as follows: 1. Earn more than 20,000 yuan ($3,171.83) a month. 2. Work out or exercise. 3. Own an apartment with two bedrooms. 4. Drive a 150,000 yuan car. 5. Maintain a fixed circle of friends. 6. Have the option of telecommuting. 7. Guarantee a fixed work schedule, from 9am to 5pm and have sufficient leisure time. 8. Enjoy a special hobby. 9. Lead a low-carbon life. 10. Be fond of name brands.

A woman surnamed Wang, who works at a big enterprise in Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei province, says these conditions are completely set for CEOs. There are few people in Wuhan who can be called "white collar" according to these criteria. An Internet user nicknamed alexlam1225 says that only civil servants may meet all 10 criteria. A man surnamed Wang, who works in IT, says the criteria are not so rigorous: "I know many who meet these standards." Another man surnamed Li, who works as a designer, says, "A mid-level manager can get such compensation in a good company."

However, the majority say they cannot meet these criteria. And some people spoof the new criteria, adding context to each: 1. Earn 20,000 yen, not yuan. 2. Do physical work rather than exercise. 3. Own an apartment in hometowns (usually in small counties where apartments are much cheaper than in major cities). 4. Ride a more than 150,000 yuan subway. 5. Maintain a fixed circle of cyber friends. 6. Not only work at the office but continue at home after hours. 7. Guarantee a fixed work schedule, from 9am to 5pm but in different time zones. 8. Working overtime is a hobby. 9. Lead a low-carbon life because unable to afford a private car. 10. Be fond of certain fake brands sold online.