Job Discussion Forums

jhp03319 · Joined: 03 Mar 2004 Posts: 11 Location: Hong Kong

This may seem a little strange, but I am finding it a little difficult to make friends here. I have been in HK for about 7 months, and made a good group of friends-all NETS, BUT, I would really like to meet some other people here who share my interests. Does anyone have any good suggestions on how to meet new people here? I am finding the whole LKF/ Wanchai scene a bit tiring...

echo2004sierra · Joined: 12 Nov 2004 Posts: 90 Location: prc

Sorry to hear it, I think HKers are into family and even school kids don't play with their friends after school!

I seem to be one of the lucky ones, having such a good friend as I do!!!!

Why don't you join a course at the YMCA and meet people that way?

Horizontal Hero · Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 4:30 am Post subject:

Opps, that was meant to be a PM

ozman · Joined: 12 Jun 2004 Posts: 133 Location: HONG KONG

Yes joining a course is good advice. There are a lot of people here on their own. There are a lot of different associations in HK e.g. The Australian and NZ Association (don't know if you're an Australian) which organizes walks/hikes and other social activities - and many of these people are not teachers. Other nationalities have their own associations. I know a lot of people who take dance classes - salsa, tango, ballet, Scottish country etc. - you name it - and they have met loads of new people. If you're into sailing you can join a learn to sail school and I know other people who are learning another language and have met loads of different people this way. There are diet groups and exercise groups which meet regularly if you're into losing weight. There's also the HK Folk Club which meets regularly down in Wanchi and Morris Dancers if you are into folk music. There are expat choirs if you are into singing, and if you are a church going person, a lot of the churches have various activities. Of course, if you're into sport, there are a lot of sport teams you could join - tennis, soccer etc. These are only some of the groups and clubs I know about - but there must be plenty more. Think about your own interests or something you'd like to learn and then find out about a group.
I do understand your situation. You do get fed up just mixing with fellow teachers all the time. Let us know here on the forum how you get on. Good luck.

ChrisRose · Joined: 19 Apr 2003 Posts: 427 Location: Hong Kong

The combination of the teaching load, fast pace of HK add to the difficulties in settling in and making friends with similar schedules.

You might consider a sport, charity or some form of club or association.

As a teacher, you will find that other teachers tend to have a lot of extra things to run around and do, marking, setting examinations, private lessons etc.

hanuman · Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 15

Start playing Gaelic Football or Ultimate Frisbee, both of which are friendly and welcome beginners:

www.gaa.hk

www.hkupa.com

once again · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Posts: 815

Ozman and Chris Rose, I commend you on your posts. They encapsulate what is possible and the possible restrictions so aptly.

JHP, do you wish to meet mainly expats or mainly locals? (neither term is politically correct I know). What you choose to do will influence those that you are likely to meet.

ChrisRose · Joined: 19 Apr 2003 Posts: 427 Location: Hong Kong

Here is one of 2 suggestions:
The English Speaking Union Hong Kong, a charity whh promotes the use of English as a medium of understanding. They have small social get togethers and cultural / educational events. Also the British Council ELT network.

The is the next ESU event, I think.

WHAT A LOT OF RUST AND ROT!

THE ROLE OF A SCIENTIST IN A HISTORY MUSEUM

Meet at the ESU: An English-Speaking Union Programme

Our regular �Meet at the ESU� programme will take a somewhat different form for the meeting to be held at 6:30pm on Monday, 4 April. Please note, also, that on this occasion, our meeting will be held at the Audio Visual Centre (next to the Hong Kong Park entrance in Kennedy Road), 7A, Kennedy Road, Hong Kong.

We are honoured to have as our speaker, Mr Paul Harrison, M.Sc, a distinguished scientist and conservation expert. As Director of Phoenix Conservation Limited, he is, at present, advising the Hong Kong Government on the conservation of the fireboat Alexander Grantham which is to be transformed into a museum in Quarry Bay in 2005.

As Site Conservator for a Minoan Port City at Athens in Crete, Mr Harrison�s exciting and interesting work has included the conservation of the Palaikastro Kouros, an ivory and gold statue recently excavated there. In Hong Kong�s Museum of History, he has prepared exhibits on Chinese wedding traditions and puppets and has set up various exhibitions in the Hong Kong Museums of Art, History and Coastal Defence.

Our popular monthly gathering is an opportunity for ESU members and friends to meet and discuss matters of common interest. Come and ask an expert about conservation, a topic that is very much in the news today!

All are welcome.

Donations: HK$75 ESU members
HK$90 Non-Members
HK$75 Students

FREE FOR NEW ESU MEMBERS

To enroll in the ESU and for further enquiries, telephone 2186-8449, or Fax 2186-8442, or E-Mail <[email protected]>

I shall try to attened, if anyone form Dave's is going, send me a PM. It will be bice to meet some other of Dave's posters.

Chris

echo2004sierra · Joined: 12 Nov 2004 Posts: 90 Location: prc

The other day, I heard an American on TV say, "friendship is when you find someone you can talk to about everything. Friendship, you know, it's, like, therapy for poor people!"

What is friendship, folks?

hanuman · Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 15

Friendship is being able to just call someone up and say 'hey, u wanna go for a drink this evening?'

once again · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Posts: 815

Then by that measure..today I have no friends...

hanuman · Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 15

Then u too should start playing ultimate frisbee or gaelic football

Scott in Incheon · Joined: 31 Aug 2004 Posts: 58

once again..you could always ask me..although i would have to say no because i am in different country..you could always aske me....i am still your friend.... Smile

Smoog · Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 137 Location: Hong Kong

Out of curiosity, what are your interests?

hkgirlo · Joined: 05 Oct 2004 Posts: 57 Location: Hong Kong

Put an add up on www.asiaxpat.com.hk
You will def meet people on there in the same situation.