Fresh View to Photography - Interview with Manuel Wong

First Published in Sassy Hong Kong

Guest Blogger Gillian caught up with Manuel Wong, an experienced Mexican-Chinese photographer, to share his thoughts on rubbing shoulders with world renowned brand names. Manuel specializes in Commercial photography, and is particularly well known within the trade for Events photography. He gave us some valuable photography tips, and has even offered a very special discount to us Sassy Girls, so make sure you read below on how to redeem it! 


How did you get into photography?


I picked up photography when I was at university in Canada. I am particularly keen on Commercial photography, because of its exposure with the general public. I was inspired by Chase Jarvis’ work. He has made Commercial photography an art form, and I am very impressed with that.


As a Mexican-Chinese, I am an open-minded and easy-going individual who enjoys meeting new people and tackling new challenges. This is why I have chosen to pursue a career in photography. Having a different background has enabled me to think out of the box and offer a different view to my patrons.


It was an easy transition from my previous desk job to my current job as a photographer, because I did a lot of Events photography and small scale photo shoots before I started my own studio, so I had much of the resources readily available.


How is it like working with the huge brand names?

I have always loved the concept of beauty, and working for multinational brand names such as Nike Apparel, Hogan, and Cocomojo was as exciting as it was challenging. It was obviously very valuable experiences, and it has given me much more confidence in my work.


I also photographed for many events with the Foreign Correspondents’ Club, American Chamber of Commerce, Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Mexican Consulate. I enjoy doing Events photography, an area that I have made a name for myself with.


Which is your favourite shoot?


We usually communicate with the customers as to their concepts and style requirements first, and then get a budget as to what props we could purchase for the shoot. One particularly memorable shoot was with several toddlers, where they were playing with the props we got for the shoot, which were colourful rubber balls. It was incredibly nostalgic, and evoked fond memories of my own childhood. 


What are the common misconceptions about photographers?

Friends usually say: “Get Manuel to bring the hot models along to our parties!” My connection with the models is entirely professional, as we are all bounded by contract terms. So when we are on set, we only interact professionally. Work for me is not exactly like America’s next top model, where models try their best to get on the better side of me.


Having said that, there are some glamorous perks to my job. The modelling agency I am connected with usually invites me to events where their models would be attending, so I do get to mingle with models off work premises. 


Do you prefer working in your studio or outdoors?

I do enjoy working outdoors, especially in overseas location photography, because with the correct scenery, it will produce a greater impact when trying to execute a concept. It brings out all sorts of possibilities, from contrasting the elegant fashion pieces with breathtaking scenery to energetic sportswear being featured in motion.


Any tips on posing and photo-taking for the Sassy Girls?

For posing, you could try putting the camera at a higher angle and put your chin down a bit for a more flattering photo. Do practice in front of the mirror to see what works for you, and try not to overdo your facial expression. Remember, a confident girl is a beautiful girl!


For taking photos, especially for cityscapes or night views, it will be best if you can place your camera on a tripod or a flat surface. Also, consciously think about the composition and the framing. You can gain experience of that through browsing other photographers’ work, and then practice their concepts on your own. Learning from a professional helps too. I will be offering classes on photography shortly, and I am happy to show you how it should be done. Contact us for more details!

Kite Flying in Grass Island (Tap Mun)

Published exclusively in this site on 17 January 2012.

Fancy a chill stroll, local delicacies, and kite flying over the holidays? Head over to Grass Island for a breath of fresh air! Known as Tap Mun in Cantonese, this tiny island off the coast of Sai Kung is famous for its scenic campsites.



You could take the ferry over from the Ma Liu Shui pier next to the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, which is within walking distance from the MTR University Station. There are very limited shuttles to and from Tap Mun every day, with each trip taking well over an hour, so you will need to plan your stay pretty well beforehand. Remember to turn off 3G once you board the ferry, since your phone might start fetching roaming data from China Telecom!



There is, interestingly, public housing estates in Tap Mun, with inhabitants running restaurants serving some mouth watering Chinese seafood cuisines, as well as selling some quaint snacks like roasted cuttlefish, preserved tangerines and sweet potatoes, which I promise you just can't stop chewing on. The douhua is absolutely refreshing, and you can even bring some soup making ingredients home and discover the domestic goddess within!

After a casual walk around the island, ogling at the churches and temples, you will see lots of campers as you hike up to the highest point of the island, which I assure you is a breeze to walk through. This campsite certainly has the best and cheapest harbour view in Hong Kong, and lots of people would come around during the day for kite flying. Kites are available for purchase in the wee shops on the island, but you can always flaunt your creativity by making your own!

On your way out, you can head back to the Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Shatin, which is the Chinese University Hong Kong's Hotel and Tourism Department Training Centre situated right next to the MTR University Station, for the yummy dim sum buffet, which I heard is quite a good deal.

Transport and Driving in Hong Kong

First published in Expat Arrivals on 9 January 2012.

Hong Kong is a very compact city, with an excellent system of public transportation, so driving is more of a vanity than a necessity. Moreover, Hong Kong is densely populated, so the parking is very expensive, and the traffic jam, though nothing as bad as Bangkok, is still rather frustrating.

You are only recommended to buy a car if you like to do outdoor sports that involves moving huge equipments around, such as biking, or if you have lots of kids you need to shuffle from one place to another with a huge trail of baby necessities. If you are single, childless, and enjoy an odd drink or two, you are definitely better off taking the public transportation.

Kowloon is almost as compact as Hong Kong, and certainly very densely populated as well, so you can probably rely on the terrific transportation network instead of driving. Even if you live in houses in Fairview Park or Palm Springs, they have regular shuttle buses taking you to all sorts of civilised areas, so honestly driving isn’t a must.

Wanna know what I think about Hong Kong's transport system? Read the rest of the article at Expat Arrivals!


Public Transport System

Hong Kong is a very compact city with a super efficient transport system. Here is a summary of a few that you will encounter daily:

Mass Transit Railways

The most likely mode of transit for almost anyone in Hong Kong would be the MTR, which is Hong Kong’s subway, and is extremely efficient compared to the tube in London, as well as extremely clean compared to the subway in New York. Not to mention, cell phone reception is available, and you have the privilege of avoiding the crush of the street level congestion above.

It runs all over Hong Kong, from the island all the way across to the airport, and up to the borders of China and over. That said, there are certain parts of the region that the MTR doesn’t reach, in which case expats will need to utilize alternative methods of public transportation.

To use the MTR, all you need to do is buy an Octopus card, which is a charge card you can use for MTR, buses, minibuses, grocery shopping, even making donations and opening the door to your building. The costs are relatively cheap, and you can even download an app that calculates the time it takes to get from A to B.

The cost is calculated from point to point, roughly by distance. You can check the specific costs here, and though there are unlimited ride cards for tourists, those are actually quite pricey and won’t make such a good deal if you are only taking it to and from work. If you need to take the airport express, then make sure you grab the tickets in advance at any tour operating shops, which would give a whopping 30% off the original costs if you were to get it at the stations.

When you are riding the MTR, you have to bear in mind that Hong Kongers are perpetually in a hurry, so make sure you shuffle along quickly, especially at busy interchanging stations like Admiralty or Mong Kok, to avoid getting trampled on or pushed over. Also, if you are a man, keep your hands to yourself to avoid any embarrassment, since the carts can be literally sardine packed during rush hours. If you want to offer your seat to that poor granny who is wobbling about, make sure you hover well over your seat before the granny makes her way over, otherwise the keen eyed Mainlanders might just shove past you and jump right into the seat. MTR, in any case, is pretty disabled friendly, so if need be, there is always assistance available.

Ferry

The ferry is an essential mode of transit for those expats living in Discovery Bay, Lamma Island, Park Island, or any other outlying islands that are favoured by foreigners. For the most part, the schedule is simple, and easy to memorise. It connects the main Hong Kong Island to other Outlying Islands like Cheung Chau, Ping Chau, Lantau Island, and is in fact the only mode of transportation to those islands, if you don’t count the emergency ambulance helicopter service. Expats can use the Octopus Card to pay for the ferry, as well as other annual package deals. Prices are jacking up rather high recently, but should still be a double digit number.

Ferries are, of course, subject to Hong Kong’s extreme weather conditions, and service can ground to a halt in the event of a typhoon or a black rainstorm warning. In that case, your employer will ask you to leave for home early, or you can find a friend to stay with until the storm has died down. To check to see if the ferry is running, consult the Hong Kong weather observatory in advance so that you can make alternative arrangements.

Tram

The tram is only available in the Hong Kong island, and takes you from east to west of the island, as well as up the Peak. Expats should note that this is a very slow means of transport though, so unless you live in Sai Ying Pun or on May Road where the MTR doesn’t take you to, it is usually unlikely that you will travel on it in a daily basis. Again, the Octopus card also works for the tram, and it should be the cheapest means of traveling around the island other than mere walking.

Buses

In Hong Kong there are also buses that travel on the island or over to Kowloon, with most of the vehicles equipped with speakers and digital signboards telling you what the next stop is in Cantonese, English and Mandarin, just so you don’t miss your station. It is an especially popular mode of transit for people who don’t live on the MTR lines, such as on Hong Kong Island South, Sai Kung, or Hung Hom. Due to heavy traffic, it might take much longer than MTR though, which is why people generally take MTR if it is available. However, buses are usually less packed, so people tend to choose buses so that they could get a seat and have some eye shut before arriving at work.

The Octopus card can be used on buses, with costs slightly less than traveling by MTR since it takes a wee bit longer on bus due to unexpected traffic jams. There are also apps available to show the duration and stops for every bus route. Prices are in single or double digits, with the most expensive being the ride from Hong Kong island all the way over to the airport.

Minibus

There is a huge variety of minibuses in Hong Kong, ranging from your green-top vehicles that travel on a fixed route to your red-top, sole proprietor vehicles. The major difference between buses and minibuses are that minibuses hold a fix number of passengers, usually 14 to 16, and they are all seated with the law requiring for them to fasten their seatbelts. For buses, however, they are usually double decker and hold lots more people, as well as allowing them to stand on the bottom deck. This mode of transit is essential for those that live in places like Sai Kung or Cyberport, where the MTR doesn’t reach. Minibuses are generally preferred over buses, because they don’t have to stop unless people want to get on or off, as oppose to buses which have to stop at every station.

That being said, this mode of transit is not without its challenges. First off, if you do need to take the minibuses, you’ll need to learn Cantonese. Disgruntled drivers are known to get cranky when foreigners don’t speak perfect Cantonese; which is a necessity since you have to shout out your stop to signal to the driver where you would like to get off.  Furthermore, these vehicles are known to travel well over 100km/hour during night time, so if you need to go out after midnight, buckle up and pray. The green-top vehicles will accept the Octopus Card as payment, but the red-top minibuses will take cash only. The pricing calculations are rather mysterious, but the vague idea is the further it is, the more it would cost. The price is usually no higher than double digits.

Taxi

Taking a taxi in Hong Kong is insanely cheap, in comparison to places like Tokyo or Edinburgh. Expats will soon realise that the English proficiency, or mapping skills, of each driver can vary tremendously. Taxis in Hong Kong accept cash only, and usually round up the $0.50 to the next Hong Kong dollar.

The green cabs are only for traveling within the New Territories, and the blue cabs are only for Outlying Islands, both with cheaper fares than the normal red cabs, so don’t flag them down if you need to travel out of Kowloon or Hong Kong. Taxis seem to be readily available, until it is raining or rush hour, at which point it seems impossible to flag one down, so you tend to need to be a bit more aggressive in catching one.

Driving a car in Hong Kong

As mentioned, buying a car in Hong Kong is not necessary. The region is small, and the cost of buying a car and the cost of parking are high. But then it is still a common mode of transit for expats, especially those that choose accommodation farther away from the city centre. If you do choose to be an automobile-owning foreigner, there are quite a few rules of the road that you should make yourself aware of before you pull out into traffic.

Driving tips for foreigners:

• In Hong Kong, they drive on the left side of the road.
• Hong Kong is very hilly, so prepare yourself for some steep terrain
• Learn to parallel park. Car parks are small, and on-street parking is mostly in parallel spaces
• If in a minor car accident, consider settling dispute outside of your insurance. Premiums are pricey, and people tend to solve situations themselves so they can get the no claims bonus. Still, it is always recommended to report to the police to avoid future litigations.
• Traffic at the Cross Harbour Tunnel is always appalling, get an Autotoll detector, which is a charge card for the tunnel, to speed up your commute.
• Hong Kongers are perpetually in a hurry, so if they don’t let you through, don’t get upsetted. Instead, wave to show you are in gratitude, and chances of them letting you through will be higher.
•  
• Hong Kongers tend to tailgate (drive close to the car in front of them), so brake slowly rather than stopping quickly to avoid accidents.
• Be alert at all times; mainlander and local pedestrians seem to jump out from every direction.

Pedestrian

Hong Kong is relatively safe for pedestrians in comparison to China, and people generally follow the rules, though they do act somewhat quicker than the traffic lights themselves. There are buttons on the poles so if you need to cross just press it and it will signal the lights to change.

Cycling on the road is acceptable, but try not to go on highways in the evenings because it is pretty dangerous. Outdoor escalators are available in some places like mid-levels for those who don’t fancy walking. There are lots of commotions going on around that area, crowded with tourists and film makers, so it might get a bit overwhelming.

Ideal Dates in Hong Kong

First published in NecesCity, Hong Kong's only online daily lifestyle guide for men, distilling everything from dining to nightlife and money matters to style, on 25 October 2011.

Have you been scratching your hair out in planning for an innovative date? Hong Kong is known for being a compact city, having activities that can cater for virtually everyone, so I am sure there is something out there that will be fun for both you and your date! Here are a couple of ideas that will keep you going for a while:

Wakeboarding in Sai Kung

If your girlfriend is the outdoorsy type who doesn't mind getting her hair wet, then you should take her out and try all the water sports in Sai Kung! Kei Ling Wakeboard Club, Sea Dynamics, and Wakeben all offers English classes, and the equipments are inclusive, including the speedboats. If the two of you are opting for a fun class then you might want to go for Kei Ling Wakeboard Club or Sea Dynamics. However, if you two are the studious type and want to learn all the fundamentals at a thorough beginners' class, then you should head to Wakeben, where they will walk you through the wakeboarding theory in the first two classes, then hit the waves in the last four. If you feel like you have had enough of wakeboarding, they also hire jet skis and kayaks.


After a long day of workout, you and your date can head back to Sai Kung for a local seafood meal, or pay a visit to one of the many western restaurants in the area, catered for their expats population around the area. Also, don't miss out on the original store of Honeymoon Desserts!

You can get there by taking MTR to Hang Hau, then interchange to the minibus number 101M at the bus terminus, which will take you to the Sai Kung pier. This minibus is especially packed during the summer seasons, when everyone is out for a boat trip, so make sure you get there super early if you are going then.

Coffee and Crafts in Lamma Island

Lamma Island is known for being populated by laid back expats, who have established a wide range of health food stores, handicraft shops and vegetarian cafes on the island. The Bookworm Cafe is famous on Yung Shue Wan for its organic vegetarian meals and its collection of books. If your date is vegetarian then you are in luck, but even if she isn't, this is still a great place to chill and grab something decent to read off the shelves.

After a filling brunch, the two of you can venture off to Selling Point, also in the Yung Shue Wan, who runs private classes around your schedule. Let them know when you and your girlfriend wants to be learning glass shaping a week in advance, they will prepare a course just for you two. It takes around three hours of blowing and burning, and each of you will be leaving with three delicate glass bottles or bulbs. Paired with chilling at the Bookworm Cafe, it will make a romantic day trip with your significant other.

You can get to Yung Shue Wan on Lamma Island through their regular ferry from Central, which is within walking distance from IFC. Make sure you don't catch the wrong ferry, because Sok Kwu Wan is on the other side of Lamma Island, which is around an hour's hike from Yung Shue Wan!

Sailing in Stanley

If your girlfriend enjoys sailing towards the sunset, why not take her along to a sailing trip with wines and canapés? Adelaide Cellar Door has partnered up with Hong Kong Yachting in order to bring together the unlikely combination of fine wines and sailing yachts.

You can get two tickets for their regular sunset wine cruise, which sets sail from Stanley every Saturday afternoon. Catered for a small number of guests, you get to choose how much you would like to help out with the sailing. If you would like to show your girlfriend your manly side, the sailors on board are more than happy to demonstrate to you how the sailboat works. If you just fancy sitting back and enjoy the delicious wines from Adelaide Cellar Door and some light snacks, that works well also. The ride will take you around the shores of Stanley to enjoy the beautiful scenery off the south coast, and escape from your hectic lives in Hong Kong. After your set foot back on shore, you can head over to the waterfront Spiaggia's Restaurant for a hearty meal with your girlfriend, which offers a 20% discount for Hong Kong Yachting ticket holders.

If you are thinking of something more exclusive, then the private sailing cruise is the perfect romantic treat for the two of you. Hong Kong Yachting has a range of comfortable and well fitted out sailing yacht on hire, so you two can enjoy your trip with champagne and snacks as you relax and watch the sunset. The private ride, as oppose to the regular one, includes a waiter, bottle of champagne, gourmet candle lit dinner and a bouquet, just to make your girlfriend feel extra special.

The regular minibus number 40 from Causeway Bay to Stanley departs right behind Times Square. Make sure you get there well in advance because there is a huge queue on weekends, especially when it is sunny, not to mention the stagnant traffic on the Island South.

Picnic in Fairview Park

If you fancy taking your girlfriend out for a decent picnic, then Fairview Park would be your best bet. As someone from the island, we tend to be shunned by the New Territories, being way past the darker side. In reality, it is only one hour away by MTR, and that is nothing if you are originally from North America or Australasia.

En route to Fairview Park, you two will have to go through Yuen Long, which looks rather like any other districts you will find in Kowloon or the New Territories. But as soon as the two of you set foot on their estate area, it will feel like as if you have just been transported to Vancouver. On the promenade walking towards their main shopping area, you can spot white/black swans, fish, and turtles swamping over for any food that you can spare.

Right on the lakeside, you will find a huge meadow where you can just throw your blanket and pop your champagne for her. If you aren't keen on lots of preparation, their shopping area inside the estate has a Park n Shop, a Pacific Coffee that does buy one get one free, a handy Cafe de Coral, a round the clock Circle K, and, surprisingly, a Wet Market. It gives you the choice of being spontaneous.

So how do you get there? Take the MTR to Yuen Long on the West Rail Line, and then interchange to Fairview Park's estate shuttle bus. Both have a rather frequent schedule, so you should get there in around an hour from Admiralty. If you are going during the weekends, avoid taking the bus (KMB 968) because there are so many people you will end up standing for the entire journey, and let's face it, that's just no fun.

Restaurants in Hong Kong

First published in Expat Arrivals on 19 October 2011.

Hong Kong is definitely the place to experiment with food, with everything from Egyptian meals to molecular cuisines available. Whether you are a vegan or an Islamic, you will still be spoilt with a mind-boggling amount of choices, with a varying budget to suit your style.

Wanna know what restaurants I would recommend? Read the rest of the article at Expat Arrivals!

As a newcomer to Hong Kong, before lapsing back to your hometown's delicacies which you would inevitably find at speciality supermarkets around town, you should really give the Chinese cuisine a try. Why? Because there are so many different styles within the bracket that there will definitely be one that you would fancy. Shanghainese food tends to be sweeter, while Sichuanese food more spicy. There are also Pekingnese, Cantonese, Chiuchow, Yunnan, Wunan, Mongolian BBQ......It will take you quite a while to go through all the Chinese cuisines available, let alone the international cuisines in town.

Hong Kongers eat out at least several times a week, ranging from a Cha Chan Teng (local fast food) to an upscale club. A 10-15 percent service charge can be expected from restaurants, while no service charge should be included for self-service cafes or fast food chains.

Keep yourself up-to-date with all the eateries by surfing the popular dining guide Openrice.com. HK Magazine and Time Out also provide weekly restaurant advices as well as dishing out an annual restaurant guide. For a reputable restaurant guide off the shelf, you can purchase the WOM Guide or the Fodor Guide.

Chinese

Yung Kee
For the best roast goose, you should head over to Yung Kee. Also try their preserved eggs with pickled ginger, BBQ suckling pig, as well as shredded jelly-fish.
Address: 32-40 Wellington Street, Central.
Website: www.yungkee.com.hk
Telephone: 2522 1624

Jumbo Floating Restaurant
Jumbo is a fine dining floating restaurant with a reputation for good seafood. You can also hop onto a small junk while you are there, and take a tour around the Outlying Islands.
Address: Shum Wan Pier Drive, Wong Chuk Hang, Aberdeen.
Website: www.jumbo.com.hk
Telephone: 2553 9111

Western

Felix
It is an ultra-contemporary eatery with a splendid view, especially in the men's room. Designed by Philippe Starck, they serve mouth-watering dishes. Reservations are recommended, and no flip-flops, shorts, nor sneakers are allowed. Leave the kids at home since children under 12 are not welcomed.
Address: 28/F Peninsula Hotel, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui.
Website: www.peninsula.com/Hong_Kong
Telephone: 2315 3188

Dan Ryan’s Chicago Grill
It is a perfect place for American expats to look for a taste of home. Ribs and potato skins are served in a portion and setting reminiscent of any US big city.
Address: 114 Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty.
Website: www.danryans.com/dans
Telephone: 2845 4600

Halal

Ebeneezer's Kebab
They serve Halal food, with kebab portions much smaller than that in Britain, but nonetheless a quick and delightful fix.
Address: G/F, 25 D’Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong, Central.
Website: http://www.ebeneezers.com/
Telephone: 2114 0555

Islamic Food
Traditional Halal food from Western China, where the Islamic population dwells, is available in this unassuming restaurant. Their Islamic beef buns are especially juicy, so make sure you order one as soon as you step inside, since it is freshly made.
Address: 1 Lung Kong Road, Kowloon City.
Website: http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=1441
Telephone: 2382 2822

Vegetarian

Bookworm Cafe
As an organic vegetarian restaurant with a huge collection of books, it makes a great place for a relaxing brunch.
Address: G/F, 79, Yung Shue Wan Main Street, Lamma Island.
Website: http://bookwormcafe.com.hk/
Telephone: 2982 4838

Life Cafe
Being an organic vegetarian restaurant in the heart of Central, it makes a great place for a workday lunch. They carry a huge collection of Yogi organic tea, so you can get some and bring back to your office as a coffee replacement.
Address: 10 Shelley Street, Soho.
Website: http://www.lifecafe.com.hk/
Telephone: 28109777

Bars

Sugar
This swanky alfresco rooftop bar provides an amazing view of the harbour. Grab your buddies along to chill there with a glass of your favourite cocktail.
Address: 32/F East Hotel, 29 Tai Koo Shing Road, Tai Koo.
Website: www.sugar-hongkong.com
Telephone: 3968 3968

Sevva
It is a luxurious alfresco lounge bar that offers a panoramic view over Hong Kong, with fancy wines to compliment such.
Address: 25/F Prince's Building, 10 Chater Road, Central.
Website: www.sevva.hk
Telephone: 2537 1388

Desserts

Honeymoon Desserts
Arguably the most famous dessert store in Hong Kong, they serve the renowned pomelo and sago in mango sauce. They also have durian treats available for those of you who would like to test whether you have acquired the Asian taste buds.
Address: Shop 4-6, G/F Western Market, Sheung Wan.
Website: http://www.honeymoon-dessert.com/en_us/
Telephone: 2851 2606

Yuk Yip dessert
Yuk Yip is a street dining stall, which is rather primitive, but serves delicious desserts like sesame soup and green bean soup.
Address: outside of 2 Elgin Street, Central.
Website: http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=7951
Telephone: 2544 3795

Interview with Gillian - A Third Culture Kid Living in Hong Kong

First published in Expat Arrivals on 6 October 2011.

About you

Q: Where are you originally from?
A: Hong Kong raised Canadian.

Q: Where are you living now (city + suburb)?
A: Hong Kong.

Q: How long you have you lived here?
A: I have moved back for 5 years.

Q: Did you move with a spouse/ children?
A: No.

Q: Why did you move; what do you do?
A: I am originally from Hong Kong.

Wanna know more about me? Read the rest of the article at Expat Arrivals!


About your city

Q: What do you enjoy most about your host city, how’s the quality of life?
A: It is a fast-paced city, and the upside is that everyone is so efficient you never need to wait a moment more than required. It makes a tremendous difference, especially with government and banks.

Q: Any negatives? What do you miss most about home?
A: How friends would prefer gatherings at karaoke over outdoor sports, because of how hot and humid it can get here during summer.

Q: Is the city safe?
A: Very on the Hong Kong Island. Hong Kong as a whole is probably one of the safest cities around the world.

About living here

Q: Which are the best places/suburbs to live in the city as an expat?
A: The usual choice would be Mid Levels or Hong Kong Island South (Shek O, Repulse Bay, Stanley). Some would prefer more spacious homes and opt for Sai Kung or Lamma Island, but it isn’t so common for expats to choose to stay in Kowloon.

Q: How do you rate the standard of accommodation?
A: Small. If you are used to living in huge houses with lawns and garages, the sizes and the prices of Hong Kong flats might be a nasty shock. With such a dense population, you can expect everybody to have a very small share of space.

Q: What’s the cost of living compared to home? What is cheap or expensive in particular?
A: Expensive. The real estate prices have sky rocketed over recent years due to the financial situation.

Q: What are the locals like; do you mix mainly with other expats?
A: The locals are surprisingly well travelled, so their religious and cultural tolerance of those living here is quite broad. As a former colony of Britain, the locals are trained with a good proficiency of English on top of speaking their mother tongue, Cantonese. My friends are usually expats, but I have met lots of colleagues who are locals, and we get along rather well, mainly because I am local myself.

Q: Was it easy meeting people and making friends?
A: It was, but I think it is largely attributed to the fact that I grew up here and I speak fluent Cantonese. I can’t say the same for others.

About working here

Q: Did you have a problem getting a work visa/permit?
A: N/A

Q: What’s the economic climate like in the city, is there
 plenty of work?
A: Lots more if you are comparing to the States. If you were to be a banker and decide to take some time off, you would land onto a new job in around a month after you start searching for it. There are more finance related jobs around though, so I can’t say the same for other industries.

Q: How does the work culture differ from home?
A: It is very hectic, and people practically camp out at the office every day.

Q: Did a relocation company help you with your move?
A: I just got the movers to ship my stuff over.

Family and children

Q: Did your spouse or partner have problems adjusting to their new home?
A: N/A

Q: Did your children settle in easily?
A: N/A

Q: What are the schools like, any particular suggestions?
A: If your kids are English monolinguals and you are not particularly tight on the financial side, then put them in International Schools such as Hong Kong International School, Chinese International School, or Canadian International School. If you are from a non-English speaking country, you might consider putting your kids into a school that speaks your mother tongue, such as German Swiss International School, French International School, or Korean International School. If money is an issue, then put your kids into English Foundation Schools, such as Island School, Shatin College, or King George V School. Local schools probably aren’t such a good idea, since their Chinese proficiency is pretty high.

Q: How would you rate the healthcare?
A: Very efficient as with everything else in Hong Kong. The doctors tend to like to dish out a lot of medication. You also get to choose to adopt Chinese medicine, which is good for less lethal cases like allergies, or as an alternative to physiotherapy.

And finally…

Q: Is there any other advice you like to offer new expat arrivals?
A: Hong Kong is bang in the middle of Asia, so take advantage of your time here, and travel around!

Culture Shock in Hong Kong

First published in Expat Arrivals on 28 September 2011.

Overview of Hong Kong

Expat culture shock in Hong Kong may not be as traumatic as you would expect, especially if you are from an English speaking nation. Hong Kong is a former colony of Britain, and as a result, the locals’ English proficiency is rather high. Moreover, the religious and cultural tolerance of those living here is quite broad, so it is normal to see Indonesian domestic helpers praying towards Mecca in front of a post office on a Sunday, just proximal to Falun Gong followers practicing in front of the Court of Final Appeal on a daily basis.

That being said, Hong Kong has a population of more than seven million people, so the crush of the populace can be daunting, as are some major differences with the small things in life. For example, Hong Kongers are generally an American size 0, a British size 6, or an European size 32, so expats will inevitably face situations where well-meaning salespeople with limited English vocabulary confront you with: “NO YOUR SIZE! YOU TOO FAT!”

The good news is that there are plenty of resources to mitigate the culture shock in Hong Kong. You can join Necescity (for men) or Sassy Hong Kong (for women) to ease into the local culture, with the help of others who have been there and done that. Additionally, respective national Chamber of Commerce’s regularly organise events where you could meet up with people from home and share your scary Hong Kong stories. HK Magazine and CNNGo.com also provide accurate observations on the locals, and supply information about events as well.

Wanna know more about what I find uniquely Hong Kong? Read the rest of the article at Expat Arrivals!

Language Barrier in Hong Kong

Hong Kongers are usually Cantonese and English speaking, with some degree of fluency in Mandarin. However, this bilingual nature actually makes it rather difficult for expats to pick up any Cantonese; people will insist on speaking to you in English just because you look like a foreigner. Miss Fong has observed this puzzling trend before as well, read her blog to find out more. If you do want to learn Chinese, try Mandarin. Cantonese is known to be hard for foreigners to learn, while Mandarin is useful when you have to liaise with colleagues from China.

Common Law in Hong Kong

There are many unspoken rules in Hong Kong, and it helps to recognise that you need give yourself time to learn these things as you go. In particular, the way in which people manage the space around them is something that takes some getting used to. For example, when you are on the escalator you must stand on the right side, because the left side is for others to overtake you. Additionally, Hong Kongers are very keen on queuing up. You will see visible queues in front of everything, be it the bus stop, cinema box office, or Louis Vuitton flagship store.

As you begin to settle in, you will start to acquire a basic knowledge about what to do and what not to do in the city. For example, don’t chuck your rubbish out on the streets, but try and hold onto it until you see a bin. There is a 1,500 HKD fine to dumping rubbish, cigarette butts, or allowing your dogs to poop on the street without picking it up and disposing of it properly. Also, Sundays are rather busy from Causeway Bay to Central due to the endless streams of demonstrations. Domestic helpers take their rest days to gather on the streets in packs, and it won’t be long before you realise that it is best to take the subway/tube (named MTR) to avoid traffic jams.

Accommodation in Hong Kong

If you are used to living in huge houses with lawns and garages, the sizes and the prices of Hong Kong flats might be a nasty shock. With such a dense population, you can expect everybody to have a very small share of space. The real estate prices have sky rocketed over recent years due to the financial situation, so much that there are lots of satirical pieces produced, in forms of drama as well as on YouTube.

When you have finally decided on which small space you would acquire and get your home décor delivered, expect it to show up late at your door. The locals are looking for a way to get around it as well, but meanwhile, if you are getting anything delivered or repaired, the best you could do is to rent a good movie.

Food in Hong Kong

Hong Kongers eat out a lot, at least several times a week, so keep yourself updated by surfing Openrice. Eating out has a diverse range, from a rushed weekday lunch in Central, to a local weekend brunch in a Cha Chan Teng (local fast food), to a fancy dinner at an upscale club, to a pub meal in Wanchai. One thing you should note though, is that Hong Kongers love to take photos of their meals for mysterious reasons, be it gourmet cuisine or just your hum-dee-dum set from McDonald’s, so when you are sharing a meal, be sure you give your friends abundant time to photograph the food first before digging in.

At very formal dinners, it is expected that the host or the oldest person on the table would start eating before everybody else follows. However, if you are just sharing a meal with friends, there is no need to observe this. Moreover, when you are sharing a meal with friends, you are usually expected to go Dutch, whereas with the older generations, they tend to compete to treat. For business meals, it is usually rather clear as to who is treating who, i.e. the client is getting a free meal, and so you don’t need to be stressed about that. For dates, usually men pay for the meal, but women should offer paying their share first.

Weather in Hong Kong

Many people find Hong Kong’s humidity unbearable, to the extent where British soldiers who first settled in Hong Kong over a century ago died mainly from the smog and the heat, and not from battles wounds. The humidity is most prominent in Spring time, followed by the crazy heat in Summer where you will inevitably have to carry a cardigan with you everywhere you go. That is right, a cardigan. Why? Because all the malls and office buildings will be blasting their air-conditioning full on, so if you wear glasses you can be sure you will be wiping the fog off it several times a day. Hong Kong has a relatively short Winter, if any at all, so you would see Hong Kong girls starting to wear scarves and woolies at 20˚C, just because they don’t get that many chances to.

Etiquette in Hong Kong

• When receiving gifts from locals, don’t open the gift in front of them, as that is considered rather rude. Just thank them graciously and then put it away.
• Don’t give clocks away as gifts, because it sounds the same as mourning when said out loud.
• If you are bringing flowers to a friend’s home, especially during Chinese New Year, don’t bring any white flowers, because it symbolises death.
• At occasions where you need to give or receive business cards, you should do so with both hands to show respect.
• When you find yourself in the middle of a crowd, say in the MTR during rush hours or walking through the Chinese New Year wet market in Victoria Park, you are expected to move rather swiftly, otherwise the people behind you will start shoving.