[Coolhand]

It all seemed so straightforward, and there was plenty of time to get things organised, back in January, when they decided the new office would be in Hong Kong.

Well time is getting short. The packers are coming on Tuesday and Wednesday to crate up all my gear, so my tenant can move into my house on 1st April- I am moving into a hotel for a week. I am still about halfway through clearing out - making regular sorties to the tip; how much rubbish can a single person accumulate in such a short space of time?

The following Wednesday, I will be flying out to start a three year posting in Hong Kong. I am really looking forward to this, I love the Orient and have visited HK several times, and find it a fun and vibrant place.

The reconnaissance visit was a nightmare. So many properties, so confusing. I had settled on renting a place on Bowen Road, only to find out two days before the end that the landlady wanted to sell the apartment and not rent it out. The last full day was a mad rush looking at properties again, and looking at new ones. Finally settled on one in Macdonnell Road, and kept my fingers crossed that there would be no hitches with this one.

It seems that the glitches were easily sorted out, and everything seems on track for my arrival. The adventure is about to begin!

[lowlight]

Originally Posted by Coolhand

It all seemed so straightforward, and there was plenty of time to get things organised, back in January, when they decided the new office would be in Hong Kong.

Well time is getting short. The packers are coming on Tuesday and Wednesday to crate up all my gear, so my tenant can move into my house on 1st April- I am moving into a hotel for a week. I am still about halfway through clearing out - making regular sorties to the tip; how much rubbish can a single person accumulate in such a short space of time?

The following Wednesday, I will be flying out to start a three year posting in Hong Kong. I am really looking forward to this, I love the Orient and have visited HK several times, and find it a fun and vibrant place.

The reconnaissance visit was a nightmare. So many properties, so confusing. I had settled on renting a place on Bowen Road, only to find out two days before the end that the landlady wanted to sell the apartment and not rent it out. The last full day was a mad rush looking at properties again, and looking at new ones. Finally settled on one in Macdonnell Road, and kept my fingers crossed that there would be no hitches with this one.

It seems that the glitches were easily sorted out, and everything seems on track for my arrival. The adventure is about to begin!

(psst, the term 'orient' is pretty outdated and considered by many to be derogatory nowadays. I'd avoid using it when you get here)

Just a headsup

[littleblom]

Keep the spirit up and welcome to HK!!! No matter what, you'd love your adventure in HK!!

All the best and cheers,
Blom

[Coolhand]

Originally Posted by lowlight

(psst, the term 'orient' is pretty outdated and considered by many to be derogatory nowadays. I'd avoid using it when you get here)

Just a headsup

Well, thanks for that - a really useful tip - learn something new each day!

[jimbo]

Coolhand

When you're settled in and got over jetlag etc then come out with us and party, we'll show you around etc and it'll be just like having an extended family!

[Coolhand]

Originally Posted by jimbo

Coolhand

When you're settled in and got over jetlag etc then come out with us and party, we'll show you around etc and it'll be just like having an extended family!

Thank you for that! I will look forward to it!

[Coolhand]

Well I have got three guys in my house packing everything up and they seem to be doing a wonderful job.

The container comes tommorrow - probably will block the whole street - don't know how they will manage it on Macdonnell Road, not my problem unless they can't get the sofa in the lift ( 18 floors at HKD100 per floor works out at quite a few drinks down LKF)

And I am not stressed out - YET!

[jimbo]

Originally Posted by Coolhand

Well I have got three guys in my house packing everything up and they seem to be doing a wonderful job.

The container comes tommorrow - probably will block the whole street - don't know how they will manage it on Macdonnell Road, not my problem unless they can't get the sofa in the lift ( 18 floors at HKD100 per floor works out at quite a few drinks down LKF)

And I am not stressed out - YET!

Not until the shipment is delayed or goes missing!

Only joking hope it goes smoothly for you and look forward to you coming out and partying with us soon!

[HKNewBi]

Originally Posted by lowlight

(psst, the term 'orient' is pretty outdated and considered by many to be derogatory nowadays. I'd avoid using it when you get here)

Just a headsup

Since when??? I have never heard that said before? Doesn't mean that that isn't the case but very surprised to hear this.

What are the derogatory undertones?

[jimbo]

Originally Posted by HKNewBi

Since when??? I have never heard that said before? Doesn't mean that that isn't the case but very surprised to hear this.

What are the derogatory undertones?

Pretty much always has been, Orient and Oriental are considered derogatory especially in the asian american community.

As mentioned here on wikipedia.

Some people think the term "Oriental" is derogatory, largely because of its connection to imperial 19th century Europeans and Americans who are thought to have held a patronising attitude towards the region. Many of these people saw the East as backwards, while the West was seen as logical, rational and more modern. Furthermore, it is claimed that some courses in "Oriental studies" were riddled with inaccurate information that was used to justify colonization of these countries. Some Asian Americans see parallels between the word "oriental" and "nigger", though many see it as simply old-fashioned and functionless, as many African Americans see the word "Negro". The main criticism of the term is that it is overly vague, referring to a category of peoples with widely divergent cultural and ethnic backgrounds and no clear division between which groups belong to the term and which do not. In the USA, the location where most of the objections to usage of "oriental" occur when describing people, the term is often replaced with "Asian", which is also criticised as overly vague and confusing.