High rises, lights, expensive cars, watches and cameras, is that the kind of life you desire? Of course, the list of pleasures people seek could go on and on. It seems that Hong Kong has many of them. The food here is amazing. You can find dishes from every corner of the earth and it’s convenient. The city is well connected with buses, minibuses, MTRs, trams, etc… You don’t have to drive to get around and given the population density, you will probably be grateful you don’t have to drive. We are definitely spoiled here. At the same time Hong Kong’s Work Culture is oppressive and it’s hard to avoid.
Modern City
Hong Kong is extremely busy. It definitely does have its disadvantages. Some of my friends have called the work culture here toxic. Be careful if you don’t have boundaries you too could get sucked into it. I have to wonder if some of the colleagues I work with would take offense to the idea of “lacking boundaries”. Years ago, I was teaching with a local teacher, we were talking to some upper form students about having the right to say “no” to the boss. My colleague quickly told me that the boss has the right to fire you as well. It seems that the majority of Hong Konger’s don’t rock the boat when it comes to work. They do what the boss asks them to do.
HK Work Culture Video
Overtime Because You Want It
I’m sure this means they miss out on time with their families and other pursuits that are important to them individually. Awhile back I wrote an article titled, Over Time Because You Want it. That was the message I got an expat husband and wife couple I met on the bike path close to the WuKaiSha, MTR. I wanted to say you guys don’t get it. They seemed pretty insensitive to HKers. I think some foreigners see this issue of work life balance as rather black and white. I was watching a YouTube from a French man. He explained how Hong Kongers’ put up with mandatory overtime on the weekends. They don’t say no. Instead they conform to whatever the higher up is telling them to do. He said that French people would not put up with it. If something seemed unreasonable to them they would object, but not Hong Kongers’. He personally viewed this as a negative about the culture. I think he has a point.
Orderly City
He went on to talk about a positive effects from this cultural aspect. He praised Hong Kongers for their orderly, clean society. People can go anywhere at any time and not be afraid of getting hurt or killed.
Make the Best of Your Foreignness
It seems that the above foreigners mentioned have some insight on Hong Kong Chinese culture. Being from the outside it is easier for them to see issues than perhaps it is for HKer’s to see. At the same time, their foreignness likely separates them from needing to worry as much about a number of the issues. For more consider reading – Is Hong Kong a Good Place to Call Home. As outsiders, foreigners are often excluded from both the good and the bad of the larger Hong Kong culture. We are give the chance to create our own foreign culture and as good as that is, let’s not forget the struggles of our Hong Kong brothers and sisters.
