1. Skinny is the new black. If I had the face, I'd be a plus-size model in Hong Kong. I may be a size 0
in the States, but these ladies would be swimming in a double 0. If you're into
slightly too skinny? These girls are pretty damn gorgeous whereas the guys can't
even compare. I'll be honest and say
that if I lived in Hong Kong, I'd totally swing for the other team. As Junjun
would point out though, once you've seen one, you've seen them all. Similar
styles, haircuts, makeup, and even faces. All Asians look the same... and no, I
don't care if I sound racist.
2. Skinny is the new black -- for guys, too. If you're looking for a guy to swing you over his shoulder and bring you back to his place caveman style? Look elsewhere. Not saying any guy needs to be able to do that, but having that option would be nice in terms of selection. To be fair, Hong Kong guys are well dressed and fairly good looking...if you're into Korean boy bands and/or urban hipsters. These guys have clothing and accessories down to an art -- mixing the best of Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and European styles. Whether they have the personalities to match that --- well, that's up to you to decide.
3. People's weight makes no sense. Hong Kong has some of the best selection of food I've seen of any city. How the FUCK do these people stay so skinny? For a truly cultural experience, trek it to a university campus (or by the Hong Kong Heritage Museum) for some quick and dirty dim sum, fried pigeons, chilled tofu dessert, or wonton soup. If you're particularly daring? Chicken feet is always a favorite.
4. Shop 'til you drop. In the last few second after writing that last point I realized that the reason everyone's so skinny is because shopping is a complete workout. There's just simply too many places to choose from and a price range for any type of budget. High end designer pieces can be found within 100 feet of street markets where haggling is a way of life. Hong Kong also makes it completely impossible to go through a day without walking through or passing by a mall. They're in the subways, by your school, and around the corner. Big brother on crack, essentially. Did I mention there's no tax? Even at Armani, Calvin Klein, DKNY, or Burberry? Dangerous. Prepared to be broke as a joke.
2. Skinny is the new black -- for guys, too. If you're looking for a guy to swing you over his shoulder and bring you back to his place caveman style? Look elsewhere. Not saying any guy needs to be able to do that, but having that option would be nice in terms of selection. To be fair, Hong Kong guys are well dressed and fairly good looking...if you're into Korean boy bands and/or urban hipsters. These guys have clothing and accessories down to an art -- mixing the best of Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and European styles. Whether they have the personalities to match that --- well, that's up to you to decide.
3. People's weight makes no sense. Hong Kong has some of the best selection of food I've seen of any city. How the FUCK do these people stay so skinny? For a truly cultural experience, trek it to a university campus (or by the Hong Kong Heritage Museum) for some quick and dirty dim sum, fried pigeons, chilled tofu dessert, or wonton soup. If you're particularly daring? Chicken feet is always a favorite.
4. Shop 'til you drop. In the last few second after writing that last point I realized that the reason everyone's so skinny is because shopping is a complete workout. There's just simply too many places to choose from and a price range for any type of budget. High end designer pieces can be found within 100 feet of street markets where haggling is a way of life. Hong Kong also makes it completely impossible to go through a day without walking through or passing by a mall. They're in the subways, by your school, and around the corner. Big brother on crack, essentially. Did I mention there's no tax? Even at Armani, Calvin Klein, DKNY, or Burberry? Dangerous. Prepared to be broke as a joke.
5. English will get you anywhere. Speaking English can get you (or anyone else for that matter) into any night club. Drop a New York accent to get bonus points.
6. Picking up girls at a bar must be the most financially draining endeavor for guys. Our tab at Beijing Club? 327 HKD (that's roughly $42.50)... that was for three silver tequila shots... That's disgusting.
7. Cleavage is a no
go. Especially as an Asian girl. Prepare for stares and a lot of come-ons in some places.
Westerners (i.e. white people) won't be
harassed nearly as much. Why is that? The perpetrators? Mainly East Asian and
South Asian men actually. Am I generalizing? Yes. But it'd be a lie of omission
if I left out that observation.
8. Everyone's
directionally challenged. Everyone drives on the left side of the road, but
foot traffic is a mess. Escalators go up on the right side, yet walking down
into the metros? Keep left. When crossing the street, prepare to see your life flash before your eyes -- or just a beautiful green Bentley.
On a related note, I'd learn to drive stick with my left hand just so that I could take some of the cars I saw in HK for a spin. Being a valet for any hotel on Nathan Road would be pretty damn sweet.
9. Everyone's language confused. English, Cantonese, and Mandarin. Take your pick. There's also just as many tourists milling around the city. So, if you're really lost? Look for a tour-guide with the country flag you need for directions in a specific language. I was never at a lack for Vietnamese tour guides.
10. Bring an umbrella. For both the rain and the water dripping from buildings lined with AC units. And if you really want to fit in, bring it for the sun. Whitening cream is a close second to sun block when it comes to necessities of an Asian girl.
I'll sum up by saying -- I could live in Hong Kong for a few years, but not forever. It has the best of both worlds; the east and west, history and novelty, lush mountains and tall skyscrapers, foreigners and locals, with just a splash of anarchy. But... at the end of the day, I think I'd end up just as schizophrenic as the city.
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