Job Discussion Forums

[chi]

Hey everyone, I haven't posted since maybe September 06, when I was still a stressed-out-bored-of-waiting teacher in England.
The whole process took 9 months from applying to actually getting here and because I started after most other PNETs, I missed out on all the 'fun' inductions.

Anyway, I've just caught up with some of the recent posts on here and found similar questions/concerns as I had, about the reception one is likely to receive from the honkongers.

It depends, mostly, on you. That's all there is to it. I read some real horror stories before I came here, but I've found there just isn't a 'vibe' of aggression or malice here towards foreigners.

We live way out in Tuen Mun and I'm the only westerner to be seen around my school area. So yes, I get stared at, for one I have very dark hair and pale blue eyes, and that seems to throw them when people pass me! Also, my son is blonde, which must be confusing But I can deal with that, because I've found the hongkongers to be mainly gentle and helpful people. A fair few have gone out of their way to help us settle in -my son now treats our 2 security ladies like aunties and we've been out for meals with the local teachers.

Even when I left my octopus card on a bus seat one time, this guy shouted after us in the only English he could summon up, waving frantically until I realised and went back for it!

The old guys I pass on my way home everyday, the ones who are engrossed in those chinese chess games, now smile at me when at first they merely stared. This is because I made an effort to smile first.

So really, whether you fit in or not all depends on you, and how open your mind is to it all. Hope this helps, in a vague way, to allay some of the fears people may have!

Shannon

[dodgee]

Yes, well developed personable skills go a long way here - as everywhere. I find the foreigners with issues on this one in both Japan and Hong Kong walk round in a miserable bubble where they feel everyone is against them. Ok, they are looking at you because you are different but just smile at them and acknowledge that you are.

[Horizontal Hero]

Yes, Hong Kongers can be very helpful and even kind. The closer you go to the island the less nice it tends to get, though. And you are still in the honeymoon phase, just quietly! The real test will be when you get overworked and stressed and you don't find it as easy to smile or be patient. They are the times we tend to overreact to strangers' impoliteness. Anyway, welcome to Hong Kong and I hope you have a great time here.

[chi]

thank you
And I understand we haven't been here long ... and maybe I wont always feel like being nice to strangers! But after having 9 months to read all the bad stuff that people can say and almost talking myself out of coming, I was just relieved that it wasn't half as hard as I'd anticipated.

This isn't our first time living in Asia, and Bangkok was harder!

Shannon

[briandwest]

Welcome to Hong Kong, Shannon.
It's great to know that you are having fun here and didn't pay too much attention to the scare mongerers!
Check out www.livinginhk.com and www.hkpnets.org as they have lots of useful links to make life here just that bit easier.

[chi]

Thank you Mr West I joined the pnets site a while ago, and someone told me it is no longer running, but I haven't checked that yet.
Thanks for the links anyway x

[briandwest]

Chi, I think you might be getting confused with another site.
There is no need to join www.hkpnets.org.
It is a resources site for PNETs with information about the NET scheme, EMB, PLPR and NESTA. It also has links to all the EMB documents that PNETs find it hard to locate on the EMB website.

[chi]

oh! Ok I must have joined one that sounded similar... not to worry! I've checked out the link now so thanks once again. And yes, alot things about the EMB are hard locate... airfare, salary advance... lol

[Travel Zen]

Hong Kong sorta sucks.

Friendly people? If you have something they want. I find them the most plastic in the world. Very worldy and only consumer-minded. Not much in the way of ethics, honor or humanism. I get a kick out of watching thier soaps on t.v. though.

But if it works for you, then roll with it

[Henry_Cowell]

[Travel Zen]

I see your point.

But I will say that my best friends growing up in Toronto, my first/second girlfriends and some of my worst enemies have been from Hong Kong. I know alot of the culture, behaviour and customs from the expats abroad.

I can't see why being in the belly of the beast would smell any better than its burp.....


I will add, because your point is valid, that this is my opinion only and does not necessarily reflect reality as seen by over 6 billion others. There.

[catbells]

[Henry_Cowell]

[Travel Zen]

You don't have to believe, my son.


Just obey.


I've spent enough time in Hong Kong to want to leave the plastic and fake-ness.

I'm more of a pristine, pure and honest Mongolia, or at least a natural and many times affectionate India.

Hong Kong might just be a vision of the future that the Bible brings us. People "lacking in natural affection, selfish, lovers of money..." This can be said of most cities, but HK seems to love it and not see anything wrong in being only money-oriented.

Just not my type of lifestyle.

[Henry_Cowell]

So Hong Kong "sorta sucks" for you. That's fine. It's not for everyone. And neither is Toronto.