[jrose]

I was wondering how race relations are in hong kong. For nono-locals, does it matter much where you come from, or your skin color? Does it affect getting a job, an apartment etc?

thanks

[Mat]

As everywhere, you have ppl thinking it matters and others who will accept you regardless of your background, color or else.

It will also depends on how well you try to fit in the local population...making effort to integrate and so on...

[hullexile]

My impression, which could be wrong, is that racism is widespread and an everyday event but it is at a reasonably low level, that is you are not going to get physically or strongly verbally abused.

[KnowItAll]

I tend to agree... there is an undercurrent and its not in your face.

A part of the problem is most people here don't feel the need to be politically correct in the American sense of the word ... so if they don't like something about you, your clothes, your accent, your skin color .. in someway or the other, they will hold that against you.

[Max]

Depends on who you ask, KiA....

There is discrimination here, some blatant, some subtle.

Agreed with the PC bit, they're not as ..um, 'tactful' as most Americans or Europeans when it comes to voicing their dislikes...

[KnowItAll]

>> Depends on who you ask, KiA....

True, very true ... I've sort of become immune to it.

[coolgirl]

I agree. Just like anywhere, racism is present. But not enough to make it hard to live here.

[phooey]

Definatly agree on the lack of tact. If your a overwieght guy you have to just accept your name is now fat boy.

[z754103]

However, the 'honesty' is applied equally to locals and non-locals. There is, if anything, less tact if you're a local. :-)

[cerberus]

yes, as we discussed several times in the past racism is very much present in HK, as it is everywhere, but without the buffer of political correctness. with stuff like the G word practically mainstream and in the open, you know there's something amiss.

it's mostly background-level, though, and if you manage to avoid overt friction likely will not come up as an issue. for example, my neighbors didn't call me a sei gweilo until i knocked on their door complaining about furniture dragging.

as was noted above racism here isn't on the level of open physical violence and such, and again, in everyday life you can pretty much go about your business as you would in other places.

added: if you meant for work and socialising, well, in those areas i can't tell if there's anything unique about HK. people generally mask their sentiments in these aspects of life. i just know from experience stereotyping and xenophobia persist here more so than in, say, europe or n america, but are at levels most people can certainly live with. overall discrimination shouldn't be a big factor in deciding to come here.