Posted by
sam i am
15 yrs ago
HK is really getting to me... everywhere I go, they want me to spend, spend, spend, I won't get any decent service if i don't spend serious money. People are just too rude if you don't show them cash.
How does anyone cope with this...? I feel I am isolating myself from people, which can't be healthy.
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HK is very consumer spending oriented, but there is a wide range of shops pricewise. I've never had the feeling that I need to spend loads to get good service. Where have you been going? If they don't give you good service, find somewhere else.
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Hi axptguy38, thanks for your comment.
I guess the sales assistants here are based heavily on the commission, hence the endless hassles.
If you want relax and get a facial or massage, they try very hard to sell you packages whilst during the treatment, if you buy them they still want you to upgrade or buy more packages endlessly... If you go into a shop to look around for some clothes, the shop assistant will stick right next to you trying to hard sell, if you tell them that you want to be left alone, they give you are real dirty look...
I understand that it's not like this everywhere, but in order to pass a day without feeling stressed or miserable, I only end up going to the same places. I am now afraid to try new places because of the bad and rude attitudes I get from the local people.
Hong Kong is a great place I guess if you are willing to spend money constantly to keep your sales assistants happy...
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You are taking it too personally.
Just say no. It's all about growing a thicker skin. Remember that they are dependent on you to buy so you are the boss no matter how they try to make you feel. And who cares about the dirty looks? They can't hurt you, but you can hurt their sales by walking out and never coming back. You are in charge.
If they get really persistent I just tell them that I'm just looking and I'll call them if I need them. Alternatively I send them repeatedly to look for things in the back. ;)
Two places without the hard sell, just to throw them out:
- Gigasports in Pacific Place
- Horizon Plaza outlets.
"I guess the sales assistants here are based heavily on the commission, hence the endless hassles. "
Actually far less than in the US.
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thanks again for your comment, axptguy38.
I understand that it's all about growing a thick skin and being firm, but because of this, I am starting to realised that I am changing myself. I smile much less now when I'm out, cuz if you do, I feel people start to take advantage of you. I'm still in the process of learning how to brush off the dirty looks of the shop assistants and the unbearable rude attitudes of the taxi drivers... It sure is a tough society here.
ecareken, I used to live on the outlaying island, but I've moved to HK due to my children's schooling. I agree with you, I prefer the quiet non-pretentious life in the suburb...
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I think what you need is not only about growing a thick skin, but to learn an important life lesson that the key to happiness is always in your own hands, i.e. don't depend on others to make you happy.
I also hate those shop assistants sticking or even following me closely in the shop. But when I go shopping, I just care about if i can get what i want or what i like, it's never my purpose to make friends with the shop assistants, so why should i bother if they smile or pout at me? And would you think these friendly smiles are genuine?
I even don't tip a bug at the restaurants unless I am really satisfied with the service if 10% is already in the bill.....should i feel ashamed for that because of social norm or pressure? Nope.
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