Week 10. Hong Kong 2012

Week 10 Happy New Year Hong Kong style
Jan 2012
Christmas come and gone although it was my favorite holiday, it was not the same here, when there my family and friends are far away and Christmas means only one thing to the Chinese— mega Shopping, not giving. I have not seen one charity asking for donations that may come when Chinese New Year comes around yet remain to be seen.
Over the weekend I had experienced my first business related Chinese yearend celebration. It was a little over the top for an expat likes myself. It was an all expends paid long weekend to Hong Kong. For over a month there were email to remind every one must get their travel document as well as visa, for mainlanders they need special permit to enter Hong Kong, the special economic zone. It is not like you can just buy an airplane ticket you will be in New York three hours later.
The anticipations built as the week approaching and the workload is heavy in the office. The night before some of my staff work till time to head to the airport without getting any sleep. It is all worth it to them because the city of Hong Kong is the ultimate destination to majority of the Chinese in the mainland. Only the rich is allowed to enter, even for the most jaded Shanghaies. A visit to Hong Kong is on the top of their bucket list. That was an eye opening experience to me.
The other culture shock when I approach the immigration port of entry area. I was amazed the line to the checkpoint for equally long for both the Chinese Nationals as well as for foreigners. I suppose that happens some times in any popular international destination in the world. The different is that since I carried as Hong Kong ID card as well, I can zip thru the e-pass window with my picture already in the system as well as my finger pint. That repeated at the departure point as well. I suppose “card carrier’s does had its privileges”, and this is not an American Express commercial. Got the picture? You must see Ed in action. Everyone was shocked. To be honest, I did not know that until this trip. I always enter China with my US passport and waited on long lines. Wait no more from now on.
There is a very famous shopping street in Hong Kong for knock off products and cheap clothing call the “Lady Street” on Kowloon side of the peninsula. I never understand the attraction, I was there 5 years ago, and found nothing. However that was not the case for the mainlanders. The flock over there like fleas smells blood. That was so sad, if you were in Hong Kong and not buy real luxury items its like going to a steak house and order a salad. However a few of them did went to shop for Gold and diamonds. The difference is that they buy in bulk. Money is no object for the mainlanders, plus these are all cash sales, you need strong shoulder and a well-constructed bag to handle the weight of money. Except my backpack is only full of tissue paper. Therefore no shopping for me, plus if I ever became the target of pickpocket, all they end up is rolls of softies.
Never the less, I did purchase a “REAL” mobile phone for the first time in my life. I think it is really wasteful to spend that much money on a phone, left bad taste on my mouth, unfortunately I need a good phone in this part of the world. (like a 24 Karat plus diamond studded) status mobile phone, that could gave you a massage while you talk on the phone, this is for real, no kidding, although my phone is far from the luxury. But it does do massage (no misspelling here) if you need one like that you let me know. : ) Finally my phone is not one of those promotional item can only do one thing at a time like I always had.
Imagine I can walk around with my phone like a big shot with their trophy wife on their arm. It does feel good even if I do not know how to operate it properly yet, ha ha. Can see I am no longer culture shock, I decided to joint the living “ It”. Next thing you know I may be speaking perfect Chinese.
Yes, award dinner. I remember going to Christmas dinner with Tux and here, I can even wear jeans to the award dinner as a presenter for a couple of the major awards. Let be clear, we are in the hotel after an elaborate dinner, that was dry, not a drop of alcohol was served, and the awards I was presenting is not one of those plaques that collect dust on the shelf in your office either. It was cash.
That was appreciation of hard work, opening the vault, there were expensive prices as well. In the end, the boss emptied out his wallet and give out cash as if there was no tomorrow. You should try it some time you will definitely get the “ HIGH”; I was dizzy just watching money drop from heaven gate. That was another Chinese tradition I know nothing about. Wow, I can wait till next week when bonus is being given. May be I will get the cow. I mean the “CASH COW” not the Wall Street “bull”.
The next day it was serious shopping time, the sight in Hong Kong does not matter to the mainlanders. Instead it was consumer goods. Most of them are not patron of the upscale shops, that left to the Korean the Japanese, as well as the westerners to spend their cash. Instead they were mostly bargain hunters. They buy with cash, and that is real buying power with the “CASH SENSE.”
These are thing that I beginning to understand and appreciate the value of the people in the mainland. They may be materialistic like us, but they do not over extend themselves. If they do not have it, they do not buy, if they do, they spend within their budget. That is smart management of your wealth, some thing we should learn from.
Well, that is another two weeks in China, and my life is starting to get a little more settle in. I have not even explored the city yet, really looking for my adventure in the months to come.

Chance Encounter Hong Kong 2012