Posted by
Johnco
19 yrs ago
G'day,
I'll be arriving in Hong Kong from Australia in August and I'm curious to know how you Aussies and other Westerners are dealing with culture shock.I lived in Sth Korea for a couple of years and found the place homogenously opressive;the absence of diversity in character,fashion and opinions was depressing.
In Korea,I also found I stuck out like a sore thumb simply because of my Western appearance;however I look no different to the average Brit/Aussie or European.From what I have heard HK appears to be more heterogeneous in outlook and in opinions.Could one of you readers please enlighten me about your experiences as a Westerner in HK as I'm feeling a bit nervous(at least I'm honest).
John.
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In SoHo or Sai Kung or Stanley you will blend right in - In Tuen Mun you will be stared at and stand out to the point where people turn around to look at you in the lift.
Despite the love of shopping here I think HK lacks fashion and style on the whole - I just spent a week in Sydney where everyone looked far more interesting/fashionable/stylish in my opinion.
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I have lived here for two years and I think HK is an easy place for a British gal like me to live! I can get Marmite and prawn c*cktail flavour walkers crisps and if I can get those I am happy! You will be fine, especially as you have lived a broad before. I think some of the 'ex-pat' areas are a bit clicky so open your mind and go for it. Remember some things that seem strange to us are the norm here. As long as you respect the Hong Kong people you meet along your way, you will fit right in.
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It won't be anything like Korea here. Much easier for sure.
Lots of Australians and lots of western food and wine etc.
Fashion..........ugh. Shop at home.
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As an expat who has lived in both places,
you'll find HK much more accomodating and more comfortable for expats. It's a society, a government, a culture more set up to adopt foreigners than Korea. In our time in HK, we met quite a few Aussies who were extremely happy there (one couple even left only to come back because they wanted to raise children in HK)
The price of foreign goods is much more reasonable in HK, although you do pay for a bit of a markup. (nothing like Seoul) I definitely don't bother doing any shopping in either Seoul or HK and just wait until I get home.
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@@
19 yrs ago
We have lived all over the place and Hong Kong would have to be one of the easiest and fun postings. We are Australian and have been here for 6 years, I'm quite sad we will be leaving soon........
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MLC
19 yrs ago
I simply love this thread no matter where you seem to be living someone's interpretation of style can be taken quite differently. Oh Yes - I would be lying if I didn't wonder at the occaisional matching of spotted sock with high heeled shoe but I am sure that's in the pages of Vogue somewhere? I am an Australian living here in HK and I love it! I love that really anything goes...I love that they do take so much time to accessorize everything - all seem to take serious pride in themselves, i think thats great! NO daggy tracky pants here! Embrace HK and it will embrace you - like any place you live if you want it to get you down it will!
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CLM
19 yrs ago
John- you only stand out like a sore thumb because you want to.(Note: G'day) Just get on with it, Do your job and enjoy the people you meet. Culture shock is B.S. - there are more Chinese in Chatswood
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As a Korean who's lived and worked in both places - let me tell you this place is tons better! If you managed to survive in Korea for a couple of years, I doubt you'll have any difficulty settling down here.
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To CLM,
CLM,you don't know me from a bar of soap.You were under no obligation to respond to my post,which is simply related to a culture shock question.Culture shock maybe B.S for you,but it is in fact a reality,not a phenomenon;it is tangible and it affects people in different ways.
My Job?I will get on with my job when I am physically present in Hong Kong.G'day? G'day is an Aussie idiom,have you forgotten that?They still say that in Australia,or do you live in the dark ages.
One pet hate I have is when anonymous posters vent their apparent anger at anything that is posted on the net;one main reason why I seldom get on line to chat is because of the prevalent thuggery and angst hiding behind the screen.I appreciate all constructive responses,thank you to all.
CLM,one reason why I stood out like a sore thumb in Sth Korea is because,I actually look like a T.V personality.Do I aspire to be one? no I don't,but the fact that I look like one was a real hassle when I was in Korea.People looked at me as If I were from Mars;and for that reason they all thought I was from America.(ID of TV personality withheld)
Now,I asked about Culture shock because I studied culture and communication theory at Post-Grad level.Culture shock is prevalent and sneaks up on one insidiously and when least expected.In Korea it became a real pain in the butt,that certain appearances attracted attention;adding to that I dressed very modestly when I was in Seoul.
Next time someone proposes a hypothetical on this board CLM,don't jump down their throat.Take it easy.
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mayo
19 yrs ago
Constructive response: if something trivial like fashion sense bothers you, you're propably prone severe culture shock and should avoid living in cultures other than your own. If people looking at you like you're from mars is the worst thing that happened to you be glad you're not me, an Australian on Asian ethnicity who went to high school in Sydney during the peak of the One Nation Party's popularity.
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