Shirley Xiao, Shenzhen College of International Education

The day before Matthew Perry passed away, I watched an episode of “Friends” for the umpteenth time, one so familiar that I could even recite the lines. Even so, I still laughed along as Chandler told his sarcastic jokes. I had no idea that this would be the last time I could watch Chandler Bing with pure joy.

For Chinese audiences, Chandler is perhaps their favorite “Friend.” For one thing, they find this shy young man so close to their hearts, as he hides his true self behind a social mask. Even when he is with his friends, Chandler is self-conscious and constrained. He makes odd jokes or gestures, ending up dancing when Phoebe’s car backfired to divert his friends’ attention and stop them from quarreling. Unlike Phoebe, who screams to terrify people when feeling displeased, or Rachel, who sobs and asks help from Monica when encountering problems, Chandler is the constrained adult all the time. He merely says, “I make jokes when I’m uncomfortable,” compromising his own emotions for some peace and quiet.

Many Chinese also choose to keep negative feelings to themselves, because confiding into others, which may seem like an irresponsible gesture of shifting their burden, would only make them more stressed.

Chinese audiences may also resonate with Chandler because he puts up with a job he has hated for more than five years, despite feeling the need to do something he “really cares about.” As his friends all strive in their areas of interest, Chandler seems bewildered and defeated, because he has no clue of his true passions. Many Chinese, told to study to get into top universities through their entire youth, slowly forget, or simply don’t have time to pursue their interests, ending up doing a regular job and giving up on the many possibilities life can offer.

But Chandler’s significance for us far exceeds these similarities. Like Rachel, Chandler is the one who has changed the most in “Friends,” which, in that sense, is almost a growing-up story for young adults. He used to be afraid of commitments and serious relationships, but after he falls in love with Monica, he willingly and happily takes on the responsibility of family. He used to squander his life in a boring job, which he later quit for another in the advertisement business, putting his humor to good use. He used to be aloof from his parents, who owed him a happy childhood, but finally made an effort to mend the relationship and got in touch with them more often.

Chandler’s transformation enlightens his audience, showing them how an insecure and unconfident person can overcome their weaknesses and live a fulfilling life.

Despite the knowledge that Perry shouldn’t be mistaken for his role Chandler, I still feel that with his departure, I’ve lost forever a friend I never met in person. “Night-night, Bing-a-ling,” may you rest in peace.