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Original poster

I'm a Hong Konger. AMA

18 replies

carolineofcanton · 15/08/2023 15:31

I'm a Hong Konger and live in HK. Ask me anything

OP posts:
Totesbabes · 15/08/2023 15:41

I’m from HK as well but moved away when I was a teen, haven’t lived there for over 20 years now. Is the political situation as bad as the media paints it? From my social media the older generation seems to be quite pro china (despite many of their parents escaped from china), and the younger ones are all planning on moving away. How do you see HK in 20-30 years?

AIBot · 15/08/2023 15:44

What do you like and dislike about living there, and have you ever lived anywhere else?

Loved it as a tourist!

Notmygreen · 15/08/2023 15:45

what do you think about British Cuisine?
Would you like to go back home one day?
are HKners racist? I found the HKners in my area they don't let their children play with our children or when my children (and other european \white british go to play with them the asian childrean leave.

Original poster
carolineofcanton · 15/08/2023 15:52

Totesbabes · 15/08/2023 15:41

I’m from HK as well but moved away when I was a teen, haven’t lived there for over 20 years now. Is the political situation as bad as the media paints it? From my social media the older generation seems to be quite pro china (despite many of their parents escaped from china), and the younger ones are all planning on moving away. How do you see HK in 20-30 years?

Everyday life is back to normal, except everyone knows a young family that has moved away. It feels a bit like Hong Kong before the handover, with the exodus of families to Commonwealth countries. Hong Kongers are worried about the future because the political situation isn't ideal. It's still business as usual.

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userxx · 15/08/2023 15:55

There is a big HK community in my area, lovely people. Are many people still moving away ?

TokyoSushi · 15/08/2023 15:59

We have a huge HK community here and they are lovely!

However, do you have zebra crossings in HK? They don't seem to be understood by the HK community here and there are loads of near misses with people driving straight through!

Original poster
carolineofcanton · 15/08/2023 16:03

AIBot · 15/08/2023 15:44

What do you like and dislike about living there, and have you ever lived anywhere else?

Loved it as a tourist!

Contraty to what people might think, living space isn't an issue for me. I am a fan of compactness. Me, DH and two DCs share a flat of 800 sq ft. But city living is so convenient, and I always feel safe. I would find rural life isolating - maybe I watched too many Asian ghost movies growing up, and they tend to be set in secluded areas.

I dislike the local educational system. It was better under British administration. It has taken a step back and top students are being pressured into a narrow range of university subjects. On the other hand, I like that everyone at least tries to be useful to society.

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Original poster
carolineofcanton · 15/08/2023 16:06

Notmygreen · 15/08/2023 15:45

what do you think about British Cuisine?
Would you like to go back home one day?
are HKners racist? I found the HKners in my area they don't let their children play with our children or when my children (and other european \white british go to play with them the asian childrean leave.

I love English breakfasts and roast dinners, especially Yorkshire pudding. I'm not a fan of fish and chips.

OP posts:
Original poster
carolineofcanton · 15/08/2023 16:07

userxx · 15/08/2023 15:55

There is a big HK community in my area, lovely people. Are many people still moving away ?

I get the impression that it's slowed down as families have made their arrangements. Older people and singles are less likely to move. We have had some people returning

OP posts:
Original poster
carolineofcanton · 15/08/2023 16:09

TokyoSushi · 15/08/2023 15:59

We have a huge HK community here and they are lovely!

However, do you have zebra crossings in HK? They don't seem to be understood by the HK community here and there are loads of near misses with people driving straight through!

We have zebra crossings. But not many people drive! Even if they could, they may choose public transport because the public transport infrastructure is so well developed. Driving skills grow rusty over time

OP posts:
UsherBobble · 15/08/2023 16:16

I would think most don't drive in HK as it is so expensive to own and run a car. Most pass their tests but never drive their entire life.

Original poster
carolineofcanton · 15/08/2023 16:18

Notmygreen · 15/08/2023 15:45

what do you think about British Cuisine?
Would you like to go back home one day?
are HKners racist? I found the HKners in my area they don't let their children play with our children or when my children (and other european \white british go to play with them the asian childrean leave.

Some Hong Kongers are racist. But I'm not racist, and I know many Hong Kongers who are certainly not racist. Somehow for a big city Hong Kongers can have a narrow worldview. It might have something to do with being a small self-governing entity on the edge of massive China. The HK community is a bit keen to define itself, and sometimes it goes too far and becomes a fear of The Other.

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Original poster
carolineofcanton · 15/08/2023 16:19

UsherBobble · 15/08/2023 16:16

I would think most don't drive in HK as it is so expensive to own and run a car. Most pass their tests but never drive their entire life.

Yes certainly
Though for some jobs it is useful to have a driving licence to show it's a skill you have

OP posts:
AIBot · 15/08/2023 16:41

Ooh, thank you for replying, sad to hear about the education system - which Asian ghost movies would you recommend?

tothefareast80 · 15/08/2023 16:44

TokyoSushi · 15/08/2023 15:59

We have a huge HK community here and they are lovely!

However, do you have zebra crossings in HK? They don't seem to be understood by the HK community here and there are loads of near misses with people driving straight through!

In HK, it's not mandatory to stop for pedestrians at zebra crossings which makes life as a pedestrian risky at times! Probably why you've seen people drive through them without stopping.

Original poster
carolineofcanton · 16/08/2023 01:08

AIBot · 15/08/2023 16:41

Ooh, thank you for replying, sad to hear about the education system - which Asian ghost movies would you recommend?

A Chinese Ghost Story!

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AtLastShrugs · 16/08/2023 01:26

This is so interesting, thank you!
I live in Shenzhen and love visiting HK - what a beautiful city.

I have a lot of mainland friends who are nervous about visiting HK now, thinking they might get shouted at/attacked/their food spat in etc. To me this seems paranoid, as I'd think it'd be the government, not ordinary Chinese, whom HKers would hate.

What do you think? Should my friends relax and go, or would they be unwelcome?

Original poster
carolineofcanton · 16/08/2023 15:29

AtLastShrugs · 16/08/2023 01:26

This is so interesting, thank you!
I live in Shenzhen and love visiting HK - what a beautiful city.

I have a lot of mainland friends who are nervous about visiting HK now, thinking they might get shouted at/attacked/their food spat in etc. To me this seems paranoid, as I'd think it'd be the government, not ordinary Chinese, whom HKers would hate.

What do you think? Should my friends relax and go, or would they be unwelcome?

Tell your friends we are safe to visit - we have many tourists coming back from Shanghai, etc., since COVID restrictions ended

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