Life and business life in Hong Kong

[Bettafish]

Originally Posted by Foeslw

The Cantonese, and the Shanghainese too, are very materialistic people and they have a culture of looking down or avoiding people who they considered poor. Parents often teach their kids to avoid making friends who are poor. And they want their children to marry rich people. To be rich and educated are 2 most important life goals of most Chinese people anyway.

I America, rich/educated people live in "good neighborhoods" and their children are sent to private schools or public schools in "good districts", so they do not need to worry that their children make "bad friends".

In China, children from rich families and poor families still attend the same schools, largely. When I was a kid, the classmates's parents ranged from professors, government officials to farmers and janitors.

It may be incorrect to say so, but I think it is true that some "bad kids" (not necessarily from poor families) did cause a lot of problems in our class. They were much more likely to be bullies, or steal other students' stuff, or smoke/drink before age.

[Tomboy-]

The Chinese have the drama without the foreigners involved. Foreigners and Chinese in HK are clearly separated in the same company and industry. Cultures are completely different, assimilation is not welcomed or the foreigners don't want to assimilate.

If you want to eat in most districts or talk to the older people, few understand English and many are pro Beijing supporters which is the opposite of westerners in HK. Foreigners like to goto foreigner friendly places where people understand English and share or worship their western culture.

Many rich HK Chinese not fluent in English. You should never look down on them.

Originally Posted by rchan

1. Expect more office drama and your colleagues will be very in your face about prying for your personal information. Then again, this depends on your seniority, race, and age. But in general this is true. Be wary and don't let too much out.

2. No knowledge here but perhaps get a local to bring you. Sometimes there are certain places in HK which are kind of inaccessible - meaning the mini bus may come around every half hour or quit operating at early times in the day.

3. English is widely spoken in international firms. There will be plenty of HK'ers proclaiming they have "fluent" english and will even go as far to correct your English....but the truth is the level of written English in Hong Kong today is no better than mainland china. But you should have no problems communicating - if it's a local firm then life might not be as great..haha.