Do Chinese people in HK look down on Mandarin?

Question

I went to HK and when I spoke to them in Mandarin, they would answer me back in English. I don't get this kind of response in Taiwan. HK people obviously do understand what I say in Mandarin, and why would they answer in English? Do they look down on the language?

Answer 1

I'm HK gal and I always feel so shame that I cant speak Mandarin fluently, so sorry...Actually, I tried all my best and really willing to practice esp. whenever I'm traveling to Taiwan and China. I know it's a shame that I cant communicate with you in Chinese but please pardon us since I haven't learn Mandarin at school but we studied in English since 3 years old. So actually English is my second language and when I can't explain something in Mandarin with foreigner I would speak in English. I hope you wont mistaken us :) welcome to HK.

Answer 2

Greetings! As I am HKer, allow me to get some resopnse to your question.
Because in HK, most of are speaking in Cantonese, of course some could speaks fluent Mandarin, and surprised with your spoken in Mandarin, I thought you were just trying to be friendly and to be more as native as you are to get close to HK people.
I was wondering that, when they caught up with you that you as a caucasian(or froeigner) that reckoned and spontaneously to reply back with English. Perhaps they cannot handle with Mandarin easily and just spilt the English. So hope you don't mind with them and perhaps the one who you spoke with that not familiar with mandarin.
They are not really look down on the language. But just not very well-organised!!! Unless you can speak Cantonese, I think they are happy with you too. And you are lucky that found someone speak well in English around in HK.
And nowadadys, the mandarin education are getting up rising and has been started form the kindergarten level for few years still yet to be greatest, just wait and see. I hope you would feel comfort with my answer. Thank you!

Answer 3

I have similar experience going to Hong Kong and speaking Mandarin (or pu tong hua). I was fully aware that Cantonese is their native language, but I spoke Mandarin since it is China's official language, and if a Caucasian like myself can learn it - a Chinese person can too. The people answered you in English because they could not reply fluently in Mandarin, but could do well enough in English. I would not say they 'look down on Mandarin', many just never learned it in school (until now).

Answer 4

Chinese people I believe favor cantonese because it's an old language, there is more than one kind of chinese they just made mandarin national, they still speak wu , min, etc. Hate it I don't believe so.