[goleoboy]

Originally Posted by chowfun

Anyone want to start a poll on the size of condoms we use?

well said Chowfun - :-)) i couldn't have summed it up better... :-)

[goleoboy]

I think the concept of "expats" are so yesterday... wonder if HK will be 'de-expatized' in the future... before you get freaked out, I don't mean encouraging less people to come to HK but actually the other way around... I just mean less labeling of foreigners as "expats". IN the States we very rarely use the term "Expats" to describe people from overseas - even professionals... They are instead simply "From France" or "From Japan"... They're there to work and live in the community. I would personally love to see more opportunity-seeking professional foreigners coming into HK (not necessarily just on expat packages) to give the city a dash of diversity. That's one big thing we miss about the U.S... is the level of diversity with people from all over the world contributing to the society as a whole - adding cultures and color. Would love to see that in HK as well - and I think HK is ready for it... what with most of the younger generations now having been educated overseas anyways, bringing back with them a more sophisticated 'global view' than locals of say 20 years ago - i think the new population is more open minded to diff cultures. Also I've read that HK people are one of the most well-traveled groups in the world... hence the robust travel agency business and the numerous local travel-related mags... featuring locations like Turkey / Istanbul - locations which seems 'so exotic' / 'wow cool' back in the States. and these mags are mainstream consumer mags targeting the general pop... not 'upscale travel mags' like conde nast traveler.

Anyways, cheers to diversity and poo poo to the 'same old same old'...

[mjk]

Originally Posted by goleoboy

... They're there to work and live in the community. I would personally love to see more opportunity-seeking professional foreigners coming into HK (not necessarily just on expat packages) to give the city a dash of diversity.

I always thought that HK is a very good example of a city where there are not only foreigners on expat packages, but also a very large number of opportunity-seekers, who come here for the longterm and blend in very well with the local community.

[KnowItAll]

I just mean less labeling of foreigners as "expats". IN the States we very rarely use the term "Expats" to describe people from overseas - even professionals... They are instead simply "From France" or "From Japan"...

Because of language issues. There is a pretty large barrier to integration ... specially for the person in their mid thirties and older, who perhaps does not have the inclination to pick up new languages is and is just temporarily in the region.

[climber07]

Originally Posted by goleoboy

I've also noticed that many expats I've met tend to show off by comparing titles/ jobs and building/area they live... seems kinda pathetic. To be honest, after we moved here, we've had to avoid the LKF / midlevel scene... it's such a tiny and closed circle/community - same faces every weekend at the bars etc - it can get really gossipy/clique-ish not to mention suffocating. I mean there's a whole city out there to discover, why choose to only hang out every weekend in the same old strip of bars...? So I'm not surprised when I hear feedback of how expats like to show off and compare income/stats. I also haven't answered this poll either, no need to use it for my own ego-boost ...the question is kinda pointless since pay is so industry-specific.

I am curious when these expats "show off" themselves, how exactly do they do that? Do they sit around comparing business cards? Photos of their flats? Just curious.....

The reason I ask, is because these posts are simply overflowing with generalizations. To be honest it sounds a little like a rant from a jealous 8 year old who doesn't have a new toy that some of his "rich" friends have. While I'm sure there are many egotistical pricks living the "EXPAT" lifestyle, there are many others who are making decent money and have corporate packages, who have no need to show them off (nor have the time, as they, believe it or not, still work for their living).

The fact is, not only is this poll stupid, it is completely irrelevant as people move here for different reasons and in different industries. The domestic helper (who moved to Hong Kong out of a need for employment, leaving behind her family, kids, etc.) will have a very different "expat" compensation and experience than a investment banker who is transferred here by his firm. The compensation and experience of a kid who moved to HK to "teach", obtain a "cultural experience" and/or "find themselves" will be different still. So comparing apples to oranges simply makes no sense.

Additionally, in regards to the LKF statement. I know it's often hard to believe, but not every expat is an alcoholic. Fore example, my wife and I have been in in Hong Kong and living in Mid-Levels for over a year, yet have only found ourselves in LKF a handful of times. Drinking / Bar scene is simply not a pastime we find appealing. There are many expats who live in Mid-Levels who explore and appreciate Hong Kong for everything it has to offer (outside the HK Island - SoHo and LKF).

However, having said all that, why should people feel apologetic for the lifestyle they can afford or for being at a point in their career where their company provides them with certain perks (i.e. housing on par with the US, club memberships, airfare costs, etc.). People forget that not everyone who is in Hong Kong came here on their own accord in search of international work experience or soul searching pilgrimage. Some have been asked to move without explicitly searching for this experience and have sacrificed for their companies (by giving up their already comfortable living, family, friends, etc) and are simply being compensated for that sacrifice.

Many Mid-Level living “housewives” (who may be fortunate enough not to have to work while abroad) also do not sit on their ass and simply spend their money with fellow “Tai Tai” pals. They volunteer their time with many Hong Kong’s benevolent organizations such as AWA, YWCA, etc. They work in orphanages, schools, read to the blind, etc.

If you want to judge people by where they live in Hong Kong or how much money they make vs their morals, and foundations of beliefs, go ahead. Just please stop all the whining and crying, I’m sick of hearing it.

[KnowItAll]

climer : tell us how you *really* feel ....

But Amen ...

[goleoboy]

Originally Posted by climber07

I am curious when these expats "show off" themselves, how exactly do they do that? Do they sit around comparing business cards? Photos of their flats? Just curious.....

The reason I ask, is because these posts are simply overflowing with generalizations. To be honest it sounds a little like a rant from a jealous 8 year old who doesn't have a new toy that some of his "rich" friends have. While I'm sure there are many egotistical pricks living the "EXPAT" lifestyle, there are many others who are making decent money and have corporate packages, who have no need to show them off (nor have the time, as they, believe it or not, still work for their living).

The fact is, not only is this poll stupid, it is completely irrelevant as people move here for different reasons and in different industries. The domestic helper (who moved to Hong Kong out of a need for employment, leaving behind her family, kids, etc.) will have a very different "expat" compensation and experience than a investment banker who is transferred here by his firm. The compensation and experience of a kid who moved to HK to "teach", obtain a "cultural experience" and/or "find themselves" will be different still. So comparing apples to oranges simply makes no sense.

Additionally, in regards to the LKF statement. I know it's often hard to believe, but not every expat is an alcoholic. Fore example, my wife and I have been in in Hong Kong and living in Mid-Levels for over a year, yet have only found ourselves in LKF a handful of times. Drinking / Bar scene is simply not a pastime we find appealing. There are many expats who live in Mid-Levels who explore and appreciate Hong Kong for everything it has to offer (outside the HK Island - SoHo and LKF).

However, having said all that, why should people feel apologetic for the lifestyle they can afford or for being at a point in their career where their company provides them with certain perks (i.e. housing on par with the US, club memberships, airfare costs, etc.). People forget that not everyone who is in Hong Kong came here on their own accord in search of international work experience or soul searching pilgrimage. Some have been asked to move without explicitly searching for this experience and have sacrificed for their companies (by giving up their already comfortable living, family, friends, etc) and are simply being compensated for that sacrifice.

Many Mid-Level living “housewives” (who may be fortunate enough not to have to work while abroad) also do not sit on their ass and simply spend their money with fellow “Tai Tai” pals. They volunteer their time with many Hong Kong’s benevolent organizations such as AWA, YWCA, etc. They work in orphanages, schools, read to the blind, etc.

If you want to judge people by where they live in Hong Kong or how much money they make vs their morals, and foundations of beliefs, go ahead. Just please stop all the whining and crying, I’m sick of hearing it.

wow... someone got up on the wrong side of the bed... I didn't think my tone was whiny/crying at all... or if it did, I didn't mean for it to be. I just know that there are people who have lived here for a while and never ventured over to the kowloon side, and there are. I understand those who've come here unwillingly (eg. wives of expats etc), but c'mon "sacrificed" for their company??? i don't believe that any smart professional would sacrifice themselves for a company - as I'm sure they've made the decision either to get ahead in their career, or get a better package etc. honestly, would someone move their family thousands of miles from home if they weren't offered bigger and better things...? or are they here as charity for their company? c'mon - whose melodramatic here...? calling me a "jealous 8 year old" is a childish statement in itself - we live a VERY comfortable life without needing to shell out thousands of dollars to belong to the run-down "americanclub" to eat their overpriced version of TGIF. MY original post was NOT putting down expats or their lifestyle, it's more about hoping to see a good mix of diversity here in HK - attracting other talents besides high-paid professional (artists / musicians etc) to come. I knew the post would stir up some juices on here but c'mon, I think my post was far from "whiny / crying" As for LKF / midlevel, it's just my observation that the community is very very tight and indeed a bit clique-y... gossip spread so quick and everyone seems to know one another - for me, PERSONALLY, it's a bit suffocating. Is that wrong? It wasn't meant to attack anyone - much less housewives (?? not sure where THAT came from..) but we DO agree on one thing, the poll is stupid.

[goleoboy]

and yes, the 'pricks' you speak of are the ones my post was referencing... so cool off.

p.s. nothing in my posting criticized 'lifestyle' or 'being rich'...i have nothing against living the high life if you can afford it - that's the beauty of a free economy like hk.

[Lammarite]

Originally Posted by goleoboy

....As for LKF / midlevel, it's just my observation that the community is very very tight and indeed a bit clique-y... gossip spread so quick and everyone seems to know one another - for me, PERSONALLY, it's a bit suffocating........

The irony being that you spent enough time there to know that there are the same faces every weekend in the same bars and to find out that it was cliquey.
Saying that, apart from a couple of bars. I also think LKF is an overpriced and overrated place but at least it keeps them away from the bars I like!

[goleoboy]

actually went to lkf a few consecutive weekends when we first moved back to hk the first month and saw the same folks week after week. i know, the drinks and food totally priced to RIP OFF tourists / expats...