[Vrindavan]

In fact HK people do not need to learn Putonghua
to communicate with Putonghua speakers.
This is a mistake many HK people made.

[penguinsix]

I find speakers of both are very passionate in the defense of why they speak their language. Cantonese was one of the negotiating points in the return of Hong Kong, and many Mandarin speakers I know steadfastly refuse to learn or use Cantonese ('When I raised if we spoke our dialect instead of Mandarin we were punished in school--they can learn Mandarin if they want')-kind-of-thing...

I guess a real question is what do you want to learn the language for? To tell the cabbie how to get home (heck, just use English or a bit of Cantonese). To communicate with your colleagues (what is your line of work?) To read the papers (it will take awhile).

[kbokusan]

HI,
Learn CANTONESE FIRST, MANDARIN SECOND.
Cantonese most useful to begin with communicating with clients and colleagues. Also explain to employee, you will be taking mandarin courses in future.

[learnchinese]

Are you looking for a good Mandarin or Cantonese tutor?
Try Mandarin Communications.

Email: info@mandarincommunications.com
Website: www.mandarincommunications.com

[esque]

interesting first post.

[Carriechung]

Cantonese of course if you are going to live in HK..
Many people don't understand Mandarin and they don't like to hear Mandarin too,,,,(because HK people don't like people from mainland china,,especially among the youngsters,,)

Sorry for my poor English,,,

[Vrindavan]

>> because HK people don't like people from mainland china


good point !
esp. hygiene issue

[Carriechung]

Originally Posted by Vrindavan

>> because HK people don't like people from mainland china


good point !
esp. hygiene issue

Yes..you are right,,
hygiene issue
and horrible products they made and sell in HK
e.g. They use hair to make soy sause!?unbelievable!

[dwaindibbley]

I got really tired of people telling me to learn Mandarin, IT'S EASIER they say. I am sure it is easier than cantonese, however it's useless to me. French, or German would be much easier being latin based, but I just aren't going to use these in Hong Kong, Mandarin is really a third language. When, people trying to be nice to my girlfriends family say sheshe(madarin thank you) abroad, they hate it! Hong Kong is Cantonese first, then English a close second. Thats pretty much why Hong Kong is the gateway to China.

[HKFella]

"close second" - since when?