After living in Hong Kong for nearly 8 years, I think that I have seen it all in terms of lack of courtesy, manners, politeness, social skills and inadequate behaviours.
Common courtesy is so non-existent in Hong Kong. I could write a whole book about it, but I decided instead that it was more fun to create a blog and write posts about the various situations and illustrate these posts with stickman figures to visually transcribe these situations.
That's how "Really!?! The adventures of the courteous stickman" was created.
For today's post, I will just share with you an illustration I did, which resumes and describes quite well the 4 most irritable situations (in my opinion) one can literally face every day living or visiting Hong Kong.
The Elevator Situation
Hold Doors
Rush in (also partly described in "The Elevator Situation")
The cough-sneeze-burp-spit-and-fart Situation
These 4 situations are unavoidable as they are parts of Hong Kong people's culture and traditions, and thus parts of their everyday life.
Hong Kongese (usually or let's say 99% of the time):
Always have their finger on the elevator's "Door Close" button as soon as they get in, no matter if other people are also trying to get in behind them (read more about it here)
Never or very rarely hold the door for the person right behind them (read more about it here)
Always rush in prior to letting people get out first (I partially cover this subject in a previous post, but I will write a specific post about this situation soon)
Cough, sneeze, burp, spit and/or fart in all circumstances with no respect, regards or even consideration for others in public areas (there again, I will write a specific post about this situation soon)
And the crazy part is that if you try to say something to them when these situations happen, they will typically respond by giving you a perplexed, blank stare look, having no clue why you're saying something to them... as for them, they did nothing wrong and it is perfectly natural and normal to do so, and they do not see any problem doing it to your face.
Common courtesy is not a thing in Hong Kong, and you better get used to it quickly if you want to survive this concrete jungle. But it does not mean that you have to be or act like them. And it is not because they do it that you should do the same either. And being part of the local HK culture and traditions is not an excuse either for you to start doing it too.
So please, be courteous, have some manners and consideration for others:
Do not press the "Door Close" button until everyone is IN (or OUT depending on the situation)
Hold doors for people right behind you, as well as for the elderly, pregnant woman, handicapped or people carrying something and anybody else unable to open the door by themselves or potentially having difficulties to do so.
Do not rush in, let the people get out first, then you can get in. Do not force your way in. (That situation applies to elevators, trains, bus and any other circumstances and places where it could potentially happen).
Do not cough, sneeze, burp, spit or fart directly in people faces. Do not spray your germs.
I will develop more on Point 4. in my next post, so stay tuned for "The cough-sneeze-burp-spit-and-fart Situation" post coming soon to "Really!?!" by Domelgabor.
Until next time, behave, be good and be courteous to and with others, it will make you a better man.
Thank you,
The Courteous stickman (Domelgabor)
(This post was originally posted on my other blog at "LeDomduVin" in January 2018 - here)
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