Big City Life

Hi all,


I'm finding it hard getting used to big city life in Hong Kong. It's not the actual city, it's the other people in it. On a personal level, I've met many kind and wonderful people here. It's the other level that's giving me trouble. Many people don't seem very interested in how their actions affect others.


Perhaps I'm a bit naive and big cities are like this all over the world, but I wonder how the rest of the Asiaxpat community deals with the crowded life here in Hong Kong. This is meant as a positive post, so I hope we can keep the feedback positive.


Thanks,

Typhoon

Personally, I love this big city life. There is never a dull moment, people don't bother you (or about you), there are plenty of things to do for everyone - outdoors, partying, sports, shopping, arts, movies not to mention some terrific career & money making opportunities.


The flip side is that people don't care about each other as much, they might live on the same floor of the building for years but hardly know their neighbours.


I have an interesting story to share - once a lady collapsed while coming out of the MTR at the sheung wan station and noone even gave her a second look, everyone kept walking without batting an eyelid ( it was 8:45 am and close to office hours start). I was diagonally a few paces behind her and saw this with my own eyes. Ofcourse, I immediately went to her and realising that she had fainted, asked for the MTR people to help, who then got her a chair, offered some water etc. By then, a couple of people had come over to help. These handful of people probably ended being late for work ( including yours truly ). But the point I am trying to labour at is that a Big City Syndrome afflicts HK and very few people will go out of their way to help - one needs to get used to it.


Another downside is the apparent lack of "happiness" - are people really happy in this Big City ? Everyday I see hundreds of androids dressed in black & grey dresses walking out of the MTR in the morning with absolutely no expression on their face ( reminds me of Matrix movie). I have gotten used to this and just do my own thing without getting affected too much.


All said & done, life in a big city is what you make it to be. You can either follow the crowd or stand out. I chose the latter.

"Many people don't seem very interested in how their actions affect others."


This is partly a big city thing, but it is also a local cultural thing.




I will chime in with Singh is King. Life is what you make it. It sounds like you are letting the downers affect you too much. They don't care about you. You shouldn't care about them either. Not saying you should be disrespectful like they are. Just that you shouldn't let it get to you. Shrug it off and move on.


Focus on the "kind and wonderful people" you have met. No need to bother with the rest.



"You can either follow the crowd or stand out. I chose the latter."


Indeed. Just because other people are drones doesn't mean you need to be.

I fainted on a crowded train on the MTR once had been working 18 hour days for about two weeks and wasn't eating well and it just kicked in. Next thing I know I am on the floor. MTR was totally packed, but the next thing I remember was sitting on a seat. People had gotten out of their seat and some helped me over to it, actually the whole bench was free because they thought I need to lie down. One guy was helping but to be honest I felt at least ten people inconvenienced themselves to get me to a seat.


For a place Like Hong Kong I was shocked, normally people do look the other way but to my surprise I know that is not always the case

Hey Typhoon, it must have taken a lot of courage to post your message. If this is your first time in a big city I can understand that it can be all a bit overwhelming.


I would agree with the other posts that the way to survive is to go your own way and live how you personally choose to - there are many kind and helpful people out there but those are not seen or heard as much as those who have no manners or respect - they usually go about their life quitely but with determination to stay who they truly are.


After you get used to the environment here, you might actually find people here very helpful and friendly - even if they show it differently from what you might be used to.


Give it a bit of time and keep smiling ;)