[DanielandHayley]

Originally Posted by ontheroad

I wouldn't say "bitching", I would say "voicing differences, misunderstandings and questions about local culture", which would be also a place for people with insight (ie people who have lived here a while or who were raised in this culture) to help the others understand!

hahaha, there is a politician's answer

[MovingIn07]

So, we reckon it's because they are uncomfortable with silence eh? What about wind in the trees? Birdsong? Trickling of streams? Not loud enough eh. I guess they just don't understand other people actually seek silence - enjoy it even. Oh well. Another local custom to deal with I guess.

[jgl]

Originally Posted by ontheroad

I wouldn't say "bitching", I would say "voicing differences, misunderstandings and questions about local culture", which would be also a place for people with insight (ie people who have lived here a while or who were raised in this culture) to help the others understand!

Oh come on, let's call it what it really is Any thread that discusses 'differences in culture' and goes for more than 2 pages invariably descends into (playful) bitching sessions!

[jgl]

Originally Posted by MovingIn07

So, we reckon it's because they are uncomfortable with silence eh? What about wind in the trees? Birdsong? Trickling of streams? Not loud enough eh. I guess they just don't understand other people actually seek silence - enjoy it even. Oh well. Another local custom to deal with I guess.

It's not just people from HK. My partner grew up in Manhattan, and gets creeped out by wide open spaces and too much silence.

I came across another weird cultural difference in west Africa- growing up in big extended households, people don't like to be alone. People who seek solitude are seen as slightly weird.

If I ever went off to sit somewhere and read or think by myself, someone would see me and just sit nearby to keep me company. Drove me nuts occasionally, but they were always well-intentioned.

[BlueValentine]

One is supposed to travel as light as possible while hiking. It is just plain stupid to carry a radio.

[Claire ex-ax]

Had some local friends around to our place who were freaked out... one by the darkness at night out of the windows (she WANTS to see bright lights and neighbours' semi-naked torsos from her windows) and another who wanted the tv on because it was too quiet. We like our place for the reasons they didn't.

[ontheroad]

Originally Posted by BlueValentine

One is supposed to travel as light as possible while hiking. It is just plain stupid to carry a radio.

It's the Dragonsback, not Mount Everest!!

[BlueValentine]

Originally Posted by ontheroad

It's the Dragonsback, not Mount Everest!!

Exactly, not everybody hikes on Mount Everest and they can carry a big dolby surround sound system and nobody cares.

This is Dragon's back and many people go there and doesn't want to get disturbed by the sound.

[ontheroad]

Originally Posted by BlueValentine

This is Dragon's back and many people go there and doesn't want to get disturbed by the sound.

Yes, this I agree with absolutely, but what I was saying was, it's not a very demanding hike; having done it myself many times with a backpack full of beach towels, sandwiches, chips and drinks....

[jgl]

Agree with OTR. It's one of the easiest walks on the island, so what else would you expect besides massive tour groups and family picknickers?

If you want silence on the Dragon's Back, do it at night. It's much nicer.