In the event you’ve visited Hong Kong and skilled a tradition shock of how seemingly unfriendly the locals are, you’re not alone.
“唔好阻住地球轉啦”, was what an entire stranger mentioned to me brusquely on my first journey to Hong Kong. In Cantonese, the phrase actually interprets to, “don’t impede the earth from spinning”. At that second I knew I’d gotten onto somebody’s nerves.
I took a fast look on the stranger however he’d already overtaken me on the escalator, and so had many others. I felt like a displaced comet that acquired nudged into earth’s orbit. I simply wished to fall off the face of this earth and by no means return to Hong Kong once more.
And the explanation for getting that nasty comment? I used to be standing on the mistaken facet of the escalator in an MTR station. Ouch.
I’d be mendacity if I mentioned that didn’t depart a foul impression of Hong Kongers on me. However wanting again now, I’m glad that wasn’t probably the most impressionable reminiscence I’ve of Hong Kong.
Visiting Hong Kong for the primary time could be a nerve-racking expertise, particularly should you’re unfamiliar with the tradition.
Listed below are some widespread impressions (and misconceptions) that travellers have of Hong Kongers, and explanation why we understand them as impolite and unfriendly:
“Hong Kongers are impatient”
Each hour is rush hour in Hong Kong. Individuals need to get issues carried out quick and conveniently. If they’ll take lunch within the quickest attainable method, a bowl of instantaneous noodles with a slice of ham will suffice. And that’s precise meals offered in Hong Kong cafes.
The attempt for effectivity isn’t the one motive why Hong Kongers are in a relentless rush. It’s additionally as a result of they’re used to, and worth, punctuality.
Public transportation in Hong Kong is environment friendly, inexpensive and dependable. The MTR practice system is reputably on time, permitting commuters to buffer simply the correct amount of time wanted for transportation in-between locations to be punctual. The minibuses are additionally identified to be speedy and cost-effective, so commuters are merely used to being on the quick monitor.
Time is cash, and that is very true in a fast-paced metropolis — folks rush to locations and race to get issues carried out. For these residing in Singapore, this will likely sound acquainted to you — kiasu hor?
So it’s regular for folks to get impatient should you fall behind the velocity they’re accustomed to. However when you sense the rhythm of tempo, you’ll discover momentum amongst the chaos and even perhaps recognize how shortly issues transfer.
“Service workers in Hong Kong are impolite and unfriendly”
It’s a typical notion amongst vacationers that service workers in Hong Kong are fierce and unfriendly, and even impolite.
An acquaintance as soon as instructed me that she ate instantaneous noodles for nearly each meal in her resort room as a result of it was hectic consuming in a cha caan teng (Hong Kong-style cafe). “Not like they serve higher meals within the cafes anyway”, she quipped as she tried to justify herself.
Whereas I don’t agree along with her awful choice in life, I can perceive why she felt that method. Avenue cafes in Hong Kong are sometimes cramped, with service workers and prospects attempting to out-shout each other to get orders throughout. Most service workers in cafes attend to many tables they usually merely don’t have the time to be pleasant to each patron. So in the event that they do come off as impolite to you, it’s not intentional.
Even for myself who’s a frequent traveller to Hong Kong, I typically nonetheless discover ordering meals difficult in Hong Kong, although it’s undoubtedly not one thing to be petrified of.
Listed below are some issues it is best to know when consuming at a cha caan teng, dai pai dong (open-air meals stall), or widespread restaurant in Hong Kong:
1) Resolve on what to order earlier than getting the service workers’s consideration. Service workers can get very busy and will lose persistence in the event that they’re made to attend whilst you pore over the menu. In the event you aren’t positive what’s good, do some analysis on the restaurant beforehand. Or take a look at our tried-and-tested final meals information to Hong Kong 😉
2) Be ready to share a desk with strangers. Sharing tables with different diners is a typical observe in Hong Kong, there’s simply no method round it. Most individuals don’t even ask if the empty seat subsequent to you is occupied earlier than sitting down.
3) Although it’s not a should, making ready the precise change on your meal is at all times appreciated by the service workers.
“Hong Kongers sound like they’re at all times arguing”
My first enterprise right into a moist market in Hong Kong was a frightening one. Throughout the tight house, stallholders and patrons have been arguing loudly with each other, hurling curt phrases at one another. Or so I believed.
Seems, the loud exchanges between the locals have been mere conversations — greeting one another loudly to seize consideration, and haggling of costs.
To non-native ears, Cantonese is a boisterous language that sounds crude. Like Mandarin Chinese language, Cantonese is a tonal language, which implies that variations in tone distinguish phrases or phrases. Mandarin has 4 tones whereas Cantonese has six (debatable to be 9)! And when a language with rising and falling tones is spoken shortly, audio system could sound like they’re agitated.
So, think about how loud it may be in a market when everyone seems to be speaking and attempting to be heard concurrently. An argument you hear on the streets could very nicely simply be a traditional dialog.
Learn extra: An Introvert’s Information to Hong Kong
Understanding quirks of a society that’s totally different from yours
It might shock you now if I have been to let you know that I actually like Hong Kong. The truth is, since that harrowing MTR expertise, I’ve revisited Hong Kong near a dozen occasions extra, nearly as soon as yearly.
I like the vitality of town, the myriad of meals choices, and the authenticity of its folks. The MTR incident that occurred eons in the past is now nothing greater than a espresso desk discuss I share with associates and fellow travellers.
What I did to alter my notion of Hong Kong was easy — understanding that each society has its personal societal and cultural norms that may be totally different from mine. Hong Kongers could seem unfriendly to our requirements, however who is aware of, we Singaporeans could seem rude by Japanese requirements too.
Manners maketh man. This ain’t a civics and ethical lesson however as travellers, we’re ambassadors of our international locations in spite of everything. And similar to how the saying goes — when in Rome, do because the Romans do, observe the customs of the locals and also you’ll more likely to adapt higher with fewer frustrations.
It’s additionally helpful to be taught some primary phrases within the language of the vacation spot you’re visiting. In Hong Kong, most native shopkeepers are older people who don’t converse any English and even Mandarin. You gained’t be in a state of affairs the place you’ll must signal out the place the washroom is. Listed below are some phrases it’s possible you’ll discover useful:
| English | Cantonese | Cantonese Pronunciation |
| Hi there | 你好 | nei hou |
| Do you converse English? | 你識唔識講英文呀? | nei sik mm sik gong ying man ah? |
| Do you’ve gotten an English menu? | 你地有冇英文餐牌呀? | nei dei yao mou ying males caan paai ah? |
| I’d prefer to order (getting the waiter’s consideration) | 唔該, 寫嘢 | mm goi, se ye |
| Can I get the invoice, please? | 唔該, 埋單 | mm goi, maai daan |
| How a lot is that this? | 呢個幾多錢呀? | ni gor gei dor chin ah? |
| The place is the washroom? | 唔該，廁所喺邊度? | mm goi, chi sor hai bin dou? |
| Thanks (very a lot) — for a service | 唔該 (嗮) | mm goi (saai) |
| Thanks (very a lot) — when gifted one thing | 多謝 (嗮) | dor zeh (saai) |
Understanding the 2 variations of “thanks” in Cantonese will be complicated for non-native audio system, so right here’s how one can keep in mind:
唔該 (mm goi) — Is a well mannered “excuse me” in a crowded avenue, a honest “please” when asking for favours, and a grateful “thanks” while you’re receiving a service or favour.
多謝 (dor zeh) — Is a “thanks” while you obtain a present.
Individuals love travelling for various causes. Many journey to witness probably the most mesmerising sights of the world, others journey to hunt new adventures. No matter your intentions could also be, we hope you’ll be taught and achieve extra, to be a greater, braver, and smarter model of your self.
This text is a part of a sequence the place we uncover and honour the cultural variations of communities all around the world. What different cultures would you prefer to know extra about? Tell us within the feedback beneath.
