[ucdaggie03]

The whole culture thing may just depend on the individual. I've met some awesome local friends who are open to being friends with foreigners/expats. There may be others who are scared to reach out? regardless, you're going to meet all kinds of different people no matter where you are, hong kong or not. in the meanwhile, it may be just better to go out and meet as many people as you can and then choose your friends from there. you're bound to meet someone you can't get along with, hong kong local or not.

[cerberus]

hey mat what's this outsider thing? we're all human, or so i hope. and speaking english isn't technically a sign of being external to the social situation since it's an official language in a place at least half built on english to begin with. i wonder if folks from the mainland experience similar issues when falling back to PTH (NOT an official lingo let me remind everyone). would be great having some comments from people who're in that sit.
hongkish, i agree with other posters that food no obstacle. most non-locs are fine with eating whatever's pushed their way, at least as much as the next person.

[keto1]

Sounds like many things:

1- HK ppl shy speaking English.

2- Maybe normal social interactions...like maybe Toots is only an average looking girl who speaks English, and her office has lots of hot HK babes so the guys will ignore her

*ok, i know i know......it's rude....*

3- Maybe the ppl at her work are genuinely unfriendly.

But yeah....go in with open mind and open heart....be prepared to laugh at yourself, ask for help speaking Cantnese- everyone loves to help you learn their labguage and food and culture etc, esp if u are genuinely keen.

[TOOTS]

Hi All

Thanks for the feedback.
I guess I'm more familiar with how we used to do it in UK.
Coz if someone joined our company, we would make sure that they get shown around, get taken out for lunch, maybe find a gym for them, go to the shops, so integration was a big thing. We certainly wouldn't leave them on their own for 8-10 hrs with no interaction. I guess it'll take time to break this barrier. I did speak to another expat, and the perception is that groups are very clicky in HKG and not the easiest to break into, which is why expats tend to just sit by themselves at lunch time and surf the net at the same time. Well I'm defo gonna push the boat out and suggest stuff to do.
Lets just see how this turns out.

Maybe we should have Geoexpat lunch groups for those in clicky places??

Cheers
Toots

[keto1]

HI Toots,

I found exactly the same thing at each of my jobs in Singapore too. I turned up for work, everyone ignored me and no one introduced themselves or introduced me to others. The was no orientation either. I'm still finding things out even though I have been there over a year now!

Must be "chinese culture".

Has this happened with anyone in Japan or Korea?

[Bigrice1017]

Hi Toots,

Well, this is the first time that I'm on this website and I'm sorry to learn that you have been frustrated about the culture of Chinese. In fact, I'm a Canadian Chinese living in HK. I can speak Cantonese and English well, but yet I find the local Chinese will treat me differently, i.e. half Chinese, half foreigners. So, I understand how you feel. Is it getting better now since Apr? I really hope so.

Most of the local Chinese are shy to speak English, except for those who had been educated abroad. Also, they are sticked to their own preferences on food, hobbies (like playing mahjong) and spendings. It may be more easier for you to make friends with those local Chinese who had been studying abroad, or simply with other foreigners.

Anyway, be happy and smile.

[discobay]

Most of my expat friends love Chinese food. They often eat sandwiches but when offered an opportunity they "dig" in like everyone else. Isn't that what blending in with the locals means? When in Rome...
Some of my friends even eat chicken's feet which I detest.
At the same time I have expat friends who don't eat Chinese food that often and live a very much expat lifestyle and they've lived here for nearyly twenty years!
This is a great mix don't you think? If you live anywhere else you will no doubt find the same similarities and differences.

[Khema]

i think what the OP was talking about depends very much on the company and people, let's not generalise (all chinese are shy to speak English/of foreigners etc). my experience is actually totally opposite, i random have lunch without my Chinese colleagues... this is from day 1. Am I lucky? dunno. I can only speak a few words of Cantonese and won't tell sweek and sour pork from chicken but they take particular pleasure in explaining me what each meal is about. then there are dinners on Friday and even Saturday... i am surprised to read the original post.

[KnowItAll]

Khema -- a lot depends on the company culture. You'd be surprised...

I worked for a US based company and most of the people who worked with me were overseas educated, went on frequent company trips and were exposed to the world. Most of our customers were multi-cultural.. so they had no options.

[Travie]

Originally Posted by keto1

HI Toots,

I found exactly the same thing at each of my jobs in Singapore too. I turned up for work, everyone ignored me and no one introduced themselves or introduced me to others.

Must be "chinese culture".

Has this happened with anyone in Japan or Korea?

I am a local but have just came back here after 10 years in Sydney. I experienced the same with my current job, I don't think it is "chinese culture" as I am the only non-expat non-administrative worker in the office.

I find myself difficult to fit into the "typical" local culture as well, don't know why... But I found that the easiest way to at least 'break the ice' is to start a joke.