HK: Random Observations

I've compiled a list of random observations I made and other interesting facts people have told me about HK over the past two weeks. They are in no particular order:

1. There is an unspoken rivalry between Hong Kong citizens and natives of China. Since the British turned HK into an Asian superstar before the turnover, China has a bit of an inferiority complex. When Hongers visit the mainland for work or leisure and attempt to speak Mandarin with their Cantonese accent, they are often ignored or snubbed at. Of course my Mandarin-speaking friends claim that they get better service in HK if they speak English rather than Mandarin. I don't get it - aren't we all Chinks anyway?

2. It's not uncommon for Hong Kong men of all classes to bow yee lai - which means have a mistress on the side, usually stashed somewhere in China because it's cheaper there. And what's more appalling is that the wife usually knows but goes on pretending.

3. Hong Kong people have no cell phone etiquette whatsoever. When you're riding the bus or metro, you can hear everyone's business because they are screaming into their cell phones right next to you. And everyone here talks really loud too. Haven't they heard of "indoor voice"?

4. People go grocery shopping at gai cee (street markets) every day because there is always fresh produce and meat. They don't believe in stocking up since gai cees are everywhere and conveniently located for everyone. Who doesn't like cooking with fresh foods? No such thing as frozen meat here!

5. If you live here as a gwai loh (derogatory term for foreigner), there is pretty much no reason to even learn Cantonese (unless you strive for cultural enhancement and self-improvement.) Since HK was a British colony for 100 years, just about everything is written in both Chinese and English so it is super easy to get around. If you move here to work for an international company, everyone is pretty much an expat and speaks only English anyway.

6. Education is a big deal here in HK (and Asia in general). Children have to compete just to go to the best kindergarten or elementary school in their area. Only the really poor (or those who can't afford Filipino maids) go to public schools, while middle- and upper-class children all go to private schools (Buddhist, Baptist, Christian, Catholic,...). When Yoyo was applying for the best elementary school in her neighborhood, my uncle and aunt had to put together a binder - a portfolio containing her achievements, report cards, dance competition photos and awards, etc. How do you have a portfolio when you are only FIVE years old? After submitting her application, she then had to take a test and then endure three rounds of interviews with a teacher, school master, and principal in three languages: Cantonese, English, and Mandarin. Every kid who applies to a good school has to go through this stressful process. Luckily she got in to the top school of her choice, but now has to do homework and study until eleven every night. And she's only in the first grade. My god the pressure is even more than me applying for a job! No wonder the suicide rate amongst schoolkids is so high.

7. While Americans love the "I just came back from the Caribbean" year-round tan look, Asians value light-color skin. Companies such as Shiseido, Oil of Olay, and L'Oreal are all cashing in with their line of "skin brightening" creams for women and men (see picture). Why not call a spade a spade and name it "make-me-white skin bleaching" cream? I guess that's why I'm not in marketing...

All above pictures are of Lan Gwai Fong on Halloween with Daphne and Thomas. It was almost as crowded as being in SF's Castro. This year I opted not to dress up as I usually do. But check out Shrek and gueng sees (Chinese vampires).