is it civilised?
how do the residents feel working along side expats and travelers?
is chinese easy to learn ?
I am looking to move there soon as possible. so any and all advice is appreciated.
2006-08-01 00:22:23 · 3 answers · asked by ♥The♥ Bearded Cheerleader 3 in Travel ➔ Other - Destinations
Civilised? - very - world's best hotels, rich high soceity. Of course like everywhere you can always drink a pint with the blue-collar guys.
How do residents feels working alongside expats? - the ones you will be working alongside will be educated and ambitious, you'll get on great with them.
But, after living as an expat in South Africa, I can honestly say the local Cantonese are the most racist nationality I've encountered. Venture a few metres out of your comfort zone and you'll constantly be assaulted by vulgar descriptions of yourself (if you speak Cantonese, otherwise you'll just think everyones naturally unfriendly - which they are).
Is Chinese easy to learn? - No. - They say English is the hardest language, I think Cantonese is No. 2. Changing between them is murder. Cantonese has 9 phonetic sounds for every word. (When I was 19, everybody I told thought I was masturbating; and every taxi driver still thinks I'm calling him a c*nt when all I'm saying is 'yes'.)
Putonghua (Chinese in China not Hong Kong) is only slightly easier.
Advice? - If it's a good job with a good package, come. Otherwise remember rents here are huge, you won't be able to run a car, unless it's a company one, and forget saving. Socially, we are all either boring 'old china hands', or obnoxious FILTH (failed in London try HK). But that's slowly changing to a more diverse community.
The pollution here now, is as bad as Sao Paolo used to be, and because it comes from China we can't stop it.
On the plus-side, there is something special about this place, it gets in your blood, mates who leave never get over the place. You'll find out who you are here, even though it's so fast paced you don't have time for intrespection. Virtually crime-free if you are Caucasian or overseas born Chinese (not so if you grew up chinese here). Great climate (you'll never get used to the summers, but you'll live). Everything here is convienient.
Me? - 23 year HK veteran.
old expat brat, who stayed.
2006-08-01 00:51:00 · answer #1 · answered by Simon D 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well I used to live in Hong Kong, but I lived there from 1979 to 1982, I actually loved the place, I never found any one that didn't like, me, but then again I am blonde and I used to be a Model there but with my blonde hair and big blue eye's the Chinese love that, so I was fine. what Simon said about the Language is so true, I found it very difficult to learn, it always sounded like I was singing, and singing really bad, I eventually learnt enough to get by for shopping and to ask directions etc... but the night life is superb, its the concrete jungle that never sleeps, I loved it. I would ago out when most people would normally be going home from a night out, and would be out all night and have breakfast out b4 going back to sleep (weekends of course) Simon is right about Hong Kong, it does get under your skin, and very difficult to shake off, I still talk about it now. Its a shame my parents left to go back to the UK, I went back with them. Not only was I model, but I also worked for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (U.N.H.C.R) what a job that was, I loved it. One of these days I will return and have another look. Simon I would love to know what its like there now. Good luck with your choice to go or not.
2006-08-01 08:29:47 · answer #2 · answered by hotbabes_tracey 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's very bust and not for me
2006-08-03 14:13:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋