Job Discussion Forums

[mcNug]

I hate this place like the plague. I would happily have a passion filled night with any number of plague filled rats instead of going here. Last time I went there was last Saturday (my first time for about a year).

I was mobbed by about 100 Indian men asking for a donation to the Tsunami victims. My heart goes out to the Tsunami victims and I would absolutely love to do what i can for them. I noticed that the literally ran from any local HK people and would only approach foreigners (who seemed to be donating $200-$300 a time). That was a warning sign in itself. Luckily I didn't donate and the police had in fact confirmed that these men were imposters and that on Saturday night there would be a telethon on TV where you could donate to the appropriate charities and not to believe anyone else unless they represented a known and respected charity organisation.

Tsim Sha Tsui is about a billion times more expensive than anywhere else, I'm constantly mobbed by Indian shopkeepers asking me to buy suits (I am not a suit person), or go to their restaurants. It's a shame really, I love Indian Culture & Indian Food but I just can't stand being harrassed at every turn.

Does anyone else feel the same way I do?

[hkgirlo]

I think what you have explained about TST is half of the fun in going there...it is so different than the rest of HK and I'm not sure if I would go to Chunking Mansions for Indian food if I wasn't going to be harrassed on the way there... What is fun about walking unless you have the opportunity to buy all sorts of stuff, get good deals on food and get a new suit???
I think TST is one of the best places to go!!!

[Ladybug]

Hmmmm....I think I was there when I first came to Hong Kong. I believe I liked it. From the way you describe it, it just sounds like Itaewon to me, the foreigner section in Seoul where tailors will mob you to buy a suit or a dress or something, anything else as you walk down the street.

[prplfairy]

The mansions do have some unbeatable Indian and African food but other than the restaurants or an occasional show at the culture house, I don't see any reason to go to TST. Why anyone would want any of the absolute crap that is being sold on the streets like those ridiculous suits or "copy watches" is beyond me. Just a matter of taste I guess.

[jenny-pnet]

I quite like the atmosphere of TST. But then, I hardly ever go there so it's always a bit of a novelty when I do. It would probably become a bit overbearing in larger doses. I've never bought the copy watches etc. I often wonder how successful they (the Indian men) are. Obviously they target the tourists, who in turn like the novelty of buying cheap junk souveneers. People usually are prepared to spend a bit more when they are tourists in another country. So I guess everyone's happy

[ChrisRose]

I hate being accorsted by the indians.

I used to work in TST East.
Just trying to walk along the road was a nightmare. "Copy watch? Copy Rolex, nice suit."

If I want a suit i go into a shop, dam it.

They really are an unpleasant expereience. Harresment!

Whlsy I admire thier hardworking attempts to get business, the endless number of them jumping out in fornt of your, interuppting what ever your are doing is most annoying.

[mcNug]

Amen to that Chris!

I can also understand what you mean Jenny & prplfairy. My first time in "the mansions" was a blast. The food, the different culture, all of it. I also found it amusing how the place was devoid of local HK people.

When my wife (Chinese) came in with me, people looked at her as if Mickey Mouse walked onto a Bugs Bunny cartoon. Most amusing.

Unfortunantly, I found going to TST like to going to a casino. The first time it's great. You have great luck and have a good time. Every other time you have terrible luck and everyone's after your money!

[Mark-O]

[travelem]

Tsim Sha Tsui is a lot more than the Indian "culture" or stuff!!!

[mcNug]

True Mark-O,

I like

most Indian Culture then!

And yes, while there might be more to TST that "Culture'n'stuff" but I was only bringing up the one thing I positive consider thing I could think of about the place.

[ChrisRose]

But my point is this.

For many tourist visiting HK, it can be overwhelming.

I think the police or anti hawking deptment should do more.


For example standing outside your own shop calling out is fine. But, jumping infront of people as they are walkign along a public pavement is different.

Breech of the peace, obstruction.

Beleive me, my lunch breaks in TST were Hell. It was absolutly non-stop, with people obstructing my passage.

The worst of all are the ones who appraoch you and appear as if they are going to ask you for directions. As a kind sole you stop ready to help only to hear, "You are very lucky man!, Tell your fortune sir?"

[Roger]

I hate those Rolex guys too; in the past they used to be Chinese, but these days they are always Indians. Interestingly, they are so dumb they wouuld gladly hand you their name-card... Only the cops are dumber - they never seem to act on any tip-offs. The suit men are everywhere, not just in Tsimshatsui, but I don't mind them half as much.

To me, TST is not just that little bit of NATHAN ROAD; it's also what happens next to it. The Coliseum is part of it - to some extent - as is Kowloon Park or the Promenade.
And, every time I stroll down TST I take a nostalgic eyefull of the YMCA!

[Professor Moriarty]

TST has some great parts, not least Kowloon Park with the flamingos and other birds and the great outdoor swimming pool, the promenade adjacent to the Old Star ferry port, the spherical cinema, some interesting and famous examples of colonial architecture, some all round great shopping (if you're into the mall mentality) at Harbour City where there's also a few good restaurants and an okay food court (and the first class supermarket/delicatessen City Super). Even Chungking Mansions is not all that bad. After all, where else in HK can one hear Puff the Magic Dragon so frequently? Also, I see that they have recently widened the pavement there in anticipation of redevelopment. You just have to learn how to deal with the locals outside Chungking Mansions (who only hassle obvious tourists and FTs on day trips from Southern Mainland China gazing, indeed, gawping, around in amazement, drooling ).

I would suggest the following:

[2 over lee]

A warm welcome back to the above poster. I too like TST, it is great to see Indians and Africans after a lengthy stint in the mainland.

[ContemporaryDog]