Delta Airlines – “Please be careful when opening overhead bins as the contents may have shifted during flight”
Korean Airlines – “Please be careful opening overhead bins as contents may fall out”

I’ve been in New York’s subways and Hong Kong’s subways.  The crush of people are about the same.  In the middle of New York and the middle of Hong Kong, the cleanliness is about the same.  You hear the same mix of languages.  Some slight differences in the food vendors in the stations – I found a Mrs Fields Cookies in Hong Kong…

The cabbies in Hong Kong are even ruder than the ones in New York.  I swear people walking (ok, jay walking, but there are no crosswalks) across the streets have to literally JUMP out of the way.  In NY they’ll stop and swear at you, but at least they stop.  Not here in Hong Kong!

I can’t comment much about the food.  I live in Chamblee, Georgia (that’s Chambodia – Atlanta’s Chinatown, for the non-locals) so I’m not seeing anything unusual.  The people I hang out with have gone out for Mediterranean two nights in a row now, so I can’t say whether or not the Chinese food is good in China.  I have seen from the signs that the stuff that looks authentic in Chambodia is probably authentic.

The people here are all super friendly and all speak English.  This is not true back in the States.  However, English is no longer considered a top priority for foreign languages in schools here.  With the huge Chinese market opening up right next door, Mandarin is becoming the most important language.  This info comes from the mothers of children enrolled in Hong Kong schools.

Most of the people here have picked Western style names so they can better interact with the British and Americans.  I personally know an Alex, Susan, Raymond, Marcy, Vivienne, and Ben.  However, they apparently pick the names out in elementary school.  I also know a Kitty, Pinkie, Fanny, Lit, Bong, Candy, Venus, Jupiter, and Mercury.  Lots of fun, Western style!

 I know that there is more stuff I want to say in this category, but I’ve not yet fixed my sleep cycle so I’m about to fall over.  I’ll post more fun Hong Kong facts when I have a clearer head.

— Matt Ranlett

posted with BlogJet