Job Discussion Forums

[kowlooner]

Jamrock, it doesn't look like many here are going to be able to take you up on your challenge! Perhaps it's because the wives might not approve.

You're right about the apartment rental process possibly not being quite as difficult as in Japan. I didn't realize the "key money" part was that much or that you needed a guarantor there. On the other hand, I would figure the living environment in Japan is still a bit nicer than here. Even if you end up in a really small hole in the wall in Japan, I'll bet the neighborhood will still generally be quiet and clean! Of course, you'll need to confirm that with the Japan forum folks. Here, finding a comfortable neighborhood could take a bit more work if you want to live in town.

[Marcoregano]

[or82]

Hello JamRock et al.,

I am a Black female who will be moving to Hong Kong in August, to teach at an international school. I signed a two year contract. With regards to the racial situation out there, I have definitely thought about what my social life will be like as a single Black female, but haven't allowed that to hold me back. I taught in northern Mexico for a year last year and was pretty much the only Black person for miles... So I got tons of stares. I didn't really have any negative experiences though.

My desire to travel and see new things and have new experiences has trumped my concern as to what the partying/social/dating scene might be like for me out there!

[porcupine]

If you work with a lot of locals, don't expect them to be your social group. Be professional at your job, but don't expect to make friends there (international schools might be different). I never get invited to anything at work (running club - even though everyone knows that I like running or after work dinners).

You don't have to fear being alone in Hong Kong. There are tons of social clubs and groups to join. Study Cantonese at the Y and you will probably make a couple of friends. You could also try meetup.com or asiaxpat for activities to keep you busy.

good luck..

Porcupine

[A'Moo]

Unfortunately, most of what Bogey says is bang on..And some of those who disparage him show their own "learned" behaviour from HK (THAT mainland wife of his, etc.)...As far as (generally speaking) civilized societies go, the only place I've been that outdoes HK in this regard is, of course, its next-door, Cantonese speaking neighbour Macao, where its not uncommon to be refused service and asked to leave many establishments....I've spent months in HK, and never saw all that many black people, though in some cases, its difficult to tell (those suit hawkers that hound you when you hop off the metro are usually of middle-eastern descent, though some may be black)...I'm in Guangzhou a fair amount, and there definitely is no shortage of black people there...

[foreignDevil]

[A'Moo]

Speaking from experiences encountered by myself and friends....
Is it really that difficult to beleive, that you take a "version" of Hong Kong, add gambling, prostitutes, a people who "missed out" on being colonized by the Engilsh , and peoples tempers wouldnt flare/tolerance levels wouldnt idecrease...
Settle down....

[foreignDevil]

I am settled down. I was just surprised to hear you say that about Macau.

I have been going there and/or living there for ten years, and I have never experienced or observed the degree of racism you describe. I'm not saying you are wrong, just obviously our observations differ. And no, I'm not black. But I have been in many situations with black friends, at restaurants. Was never asked to leave.
What I do see all the time, though, and more and more, is hostility towards mainlanders. Granted some mainland visitors are guilty of some pretty boorish behavior. I was there recently with a mainland friend. She asked an innocent question at a shop... I saw the shopkeeper turn to another shopkeeper and roll her eyes and sigh. She snapped her reply to my friend, and all but willed her out of the shop. The irony is that that shop and, indeed, that entire street, and along with that street that shopkeeper's job, would not have existed but for the presence of visitors to Macau, including my mainland friend.

[Marcoregano]

[A'Moo]

[Marcoregano]

[Tinseltown Rebellion]

There is an interesting little article in the Education supplement of the SCMP today (05.06.09, p.E11), penned by Robert Lewis. He writes that "Teacher D, while enjoying good relations with most staff and the principal, found that three local teachers, including his panel chair, were complaining about him, apparently because of his race and gender, excluding him from social occasions and undermining relations with other local staff" (my stress).

[oxi]

[Tinseltown Rebellion]

[Marcoregano]