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Originally Posted by Botox
Just to add slightly off topic (not regarding racial descrimination);
Hong Kong certainly seems to be one of the most materialistic and capitalist places ever. Frequent questions that pop up in conversations with new aquaintences; "How much did you **** cost?" / "How much does your rent cost?" / "How much did you pay for ****?" They don't say this in a condescending way, people just say it... as if finances aren't a closed subject, etc.
Most people I know in Britain, a few yuppies aside, will keep off the subject of money, and are fairly modest and discrete about finances, whether they're very well off of not. Maybe it's just because they're too embarressed or they're hiding from the taxman, but still, a certain amount of discretion can be a good thing - I don't always want to know how much your watch cost, where you got your deal on your car or how many square feet you get for your dollar.
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I agree that money and status is highly valued in Hong Kong. But your specific example has some problems. Many Chinese people will ask you these questions, not just Hong Kongers. I take it as part of the culture of Chinese chit-chat. Of course, from my American background, these topics are considered taboo (or at least not in good taste). But Chinese people I know also think it's really odd watching two Americans go off talking about the weather in great detail. I think it would shock them even more to know I probably spend more time talking about the weather with my *family* members than any other topic. And on further retrospect, I can understand where they are coming from. Talking about the weather is a little strange.