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Because no one warns you about the red envelopes, the typhoons, or the Chinese wedding banquets…
Twelve years ago, my husband and I took the plunge from London to the vibrant, chaotic, and endlessly fascinating streets of Hong Kong, armed with little more than our British charm and a sense of adventure.
Like many new arrivals, we quickly discovered that life here is exhilarating… and occasionally bewildering. From hunting for the “perfect” apartment to battling the hot, humid weather that makes you question every life choice you’ve ever made, our introduction to Hong Kong was anything but dull.
Then came the daunting cultural curveballs.
What exactly do you do with a red envelope during Chinese New Year?
How much cash should you give, and to whom?
What about those lavish Chinese weddings? Trust me, you do not want to find yourself seated at a ten‑course banquet, staring at your plate, wondering what on earth you’re about to eat, or whether you’re supposed to eat it at all.
Like so many expats, we learned through trial, error, and a fair amount of quiet panic.
Why I Created the Expat Survival Guide Series?
After years of answering the same questions from newly arrived friends “How does this work? Why does everyone do that? Am I doing this wrong? Did I just insult someone?”, I realized something was missing.
There were plenty of travel guides. Plenty of glossy “Top 10 Things to Do” or “The Most “Instagrammable” Places” lists, but very few resources that explained how to actually live in Hong Kong, as a “Hong Konger”!
That’s why I created Welcome to Hong Kong: Survive, Thrive (and Love) the Expat Life! - an Expat Survival Guide Series that’s not a traditional manual, but a friendly companion. The books are designed to sit somewhere between “helpful local friend” and “calm voice of reassurance” packed with:
- Practical checklists
- Quick‑reference guides
- Must‑have apps
- Handy Cantonese phrase charts (with pronunciation tips!)
- Honest insights into the good, the bad, and the downright quirky!:
You can read the series cover‑to‑cover or cherry‑pick chapters as you encounter the unique surprises of your new home.
What’s Inside the Series?
Volume 1: Practical Living
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This volume focuses on the everyday realities of settling into Hong Kong life.
From navigating the apartment hunt to surviving typhoon season, understanding transport, and managing daily logistics, it’s designed to help you feel capable and confident, especially during those early weeks when everything feels overwhelming.
Excerpt - Volume 1: CHAPTER 4 - THE CLIMATE: MASTERING HONG KONG'S WILD WEATHER!
Hong Kong’s subtropical climate is one of the defining features of life here, offering warm winters, sweltering summers, plenty of rain and the occasional destructive typhoon. Understanding the city’s weather patterns will help you prepare for the seasons, brace for extreme weather events like typhoons, and tackle that ever-present humidity like a pro!
SEASONS IN HONG KONG: What to Expect
Winter (December to February)
Temperature: 12°C–20°C (53°F–68°F)
What to Expect: Mild and dry weather with occasional chilly days, especially in January. It’s a very comfortable time of the year, with low humidity and clear skies. Snow is unheard of, but the temperature can drop to single digits in the New Territories, making you wish you hadn’t packed away those sweaters so soon. Just when you think spring is around the corner, winter throws a surprise cold spell, and you’ll be digging out those vacuum-sealed bags you stashed under your bed.
Tips: A light jacket or sweater usually does the trick during the day, but don’t forget heavier layers for cooler nights or when hiking in exposed areas. Thicker jackets will be required during random cold spells when temperatures drop below 12°C. Locals often bundle up like they’re heading to the North Pole, even when it’s just a smidge chilly. It’s a fashion statement they cling to because they only get to strut their stuff in boots and big coats for a couple of months each year, pushing it right up until they sweat profusely and everyone starts questioning their sanity!
Volume 2: Cultural Insights
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This volume explains the customs that confuse newcomers the most.
From Chinese New Year etiquette and red envelopes to weddings, festivals, food culture, and unspoken social norms, this volume explains the why behind the traditions that shape daily life in Hong Kong. With clear explanations, practical examples, Cantonese phrases, and cultural insights, it helps expats navigate culture shock with confidence—so you can avoid awkward missteps and feel more at home in this dynamic city.
Excerpt - Volume 2: CHAPTER 3 – CELEBRATIONS: WEDDINGS, BABIES AND EXPENSIVE TIMES!
There’s so much to share about Chinese weddings and celebratory events in Hong Kong that this topic deserves a chapter of its own!
Chinese weddings are deeply rooted in tradition, interwoven with modern influences. From vibrant customs like door games during the bride's pickup to the reverent tea ceremony, these events are filled with symbolic rituals that celebrate family, love, and of course, good fortune!
For expats, attending a Chinese wedding can be a fascinating cultural experience, but understanding the traditions and expectations is essential for navigating the event respectfully and knowing what to anticipate. This chapter explains the key customs, traditions, guest etiquette, and gift-giving norms to help you fully appreciate and participate in a Chinese wedding.
Pre-Wedding Rituals (included in the book: the dowry, auspicious dates, invitations, the night before)
Wedding Day (included in the book: collecting the bride, tea ceremony, the banquet)
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ETIQUETTE
RSVP
Let the couple know if you’ll be attending promptly, as banquets are expensive, and seating is limited and carefully planned. If you cannot attend, they may need to ask someone else in advance to take your spot.
What to Wear?
Guests are expected to dress elegantly and respectfully. The dress code is influenced by the venue and formality of the event, but unlike Western weddings, fascinators are rarely worn.
Bright colours symbolise joy and celebration; however, red should be avoided, as it clashes with the bride’s red Qipao or other red dresses. White and black should also be avoided, as these colours are associated with funerals, unless balanced with other accessories. Additionally, white obviously clashes with the bride’s traditional wedding dress.
Men should wear a suit or formal shirt and trousers.
Additionally....
What to say?....
Gift-giving....
Tips....
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THE MENU
The wedding banquet is the centrepiece of a Chinese wedding celebration, featuring 10 to 12 courses of carefully selected dishes. Each dish holds a symbolic meaning, often representing good fortune, abundance, love, happiness, fertility and longevity.
- Whole Roast Pig - This grand dish is a gesture of hospitality and respect for guests, symbolising purity and wholesomeness. Be cautious, as the term "whole" means the head remains on the plate, but at least the eyes are often replaced with Maraschino cherries! Oh, sometimes they even have flashing LED eyes too!
Volume 3: Raising a Family (Coming Soon)
Currently in progress, this volume focuses on navigating Hong Kong as an expat family, covering schools, childcare, daily logistics, and raising children in a cross‑cultural environment.
Who These Books Are For?
By the end of the series, readers are ready to handle everything from typhoon season to mastering the art of gift‑giving (spoiler alert: steer clear of clocks and sharp objects).
Whether you’re:
- Single
- Married
- Newly arrived
- Juggling the joyful chaos of family life:
This series is written to reassure you that you’re not alone, and that thriving in Hong Kong is absolutely possible.
It also makes a thoughtful welcome gift from friends or family, offering practical support, cultural insight, and reassurance to anyone starting their Hong Kong adventure.
About the Author
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Born in Hong Kong to a Cantonese father and a Middle Eastern mother, Pamela moved to England at the age of six, growing up bilingual in Cantonese and English and shaped by a rich mix of cultures.
Trained as a barrister and with a career in the financial industry, Pamela has long been drawn to communication and public speaking. Her passion for entertainment has led her to host and speak on stage and television over the years. She is also an emcee, a Latin dancer, and a proud mother. Writing is her latest creative endeavour. Pamela currently lives in Hong Kong with her husband and son.
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After relocating from London to Hong Kong over twelve years ago, Pamela created this series to help newcomers navigate the realities of expat life with confidence and humour. Drawing on lived experience, the books aim to reassure readers that confusion is normal, and that thriving in Hong Kong is absolutely possible.
Buying Through AsiaXPAT
You can easily get your copy of Welcome to Hong Kong: Survive, Thrive (and Love) the Expat Life! through the AsiaExpat link below. To say thank you to the AsiaExpat community, readers are offered an exclusive 10% discount off the retail price when purchasing through AsiaXPAT. Buying via AsiaXPAT not only gives you a great deal, but also supports a trusted expat platform that continues to provide valuable resources for life in Hong Kong, making it the ideal place to start your journey with the series!
Wherever you are on your Hong Kong journey, may your red envelopes be correct, your Octopus card topped up, and your air‑conditioning never let you down — you’ve got this!
Pamela xx