Different languages and cultural practices are what make life both interesting and challenging when embarking on life as an expat. A successful intercultural relationship often demands much time and effort on both sides. It is important, however, that these relationships are pursued and that more effective communication is achieved in order to settle in your new community.
The early chapters of this book summarise many expats’ first impressions of life in Hong Kong. They discuss and explain many of these, often mistaken, first impressions. There is also discussion of distinctive features of the languages used in Hong Kong which will help newcomers to make the necessary adjustments when communicating with locals.
The book then goes on to consider some more specific items which will be of tremendous assistance to expats: items such as how to say "Thank you", how to greet people and also the different use of the superlative, and “yes” and “no”. With only a minimum of effort, these topics can be absorbed. Chapters on different ways friendliness is shown by Chinese and Westerners can also be an area that can easily lead to misunderstanding and is discussed here in detail. In the same way, there is also a great difference between the amount of disclosure of personal information between Chinese and Westerners, especially at the initial stages of a relationship and this again can cause a budding friendship to falter. The utilization of this knowledge will go a long way to endear an expat to the locals and help bridge the culture gap and minimize misunderstandings.
More subtle topics are considered in later chapters and are aimed at avoiding any resentments which could arise solely due to communication difficulties. People may use the same language but that does not mean they interpret the words in the same way. Our different communication practices and the subsequent assumptions we make may heavily influence our perceptions and understanding.
The later chapters encompass many practical tips on how to integrate into the local life and how to be seen to behave correctly on various occasions such as Chinese weddings and funerals, and on entertaining etiquette.
All in all, this is an essential read for all who intend to live or work in harmony with the local Chinese.
(by Carol Gleadhill
Education and Scholarship Committee Member
American Women’s Association of Hong Kong)
The early chapters of this book summarise many expats’ first impressions of life in Hong Kong. They discuss and explain many of these, often mistaken, first impressions. There is also discussion of distinctive features of the languages used in Hong Kong which will help newcomers to make the necessary adjustments when communicating with locals.
The book then goes on to consider some more specific items which will be of tremendous assistance to expats: items such as how to say "Thank you", how to greet people and also the different use of the superlative, and “yes” and “no”. With only a minimum of effort, these topics can be absorbed. Chapters on different ways friendliness is shown by Chinese and Westerners can also be an area that can easily lead to misunderstanding and is discussed here in detail. In the same way, there is also a great difference between the amount of disclosure of personal information between Chinese and Westerners, especially at the initial stages of a relationship and this again can cause a budding friendship to falter. The utilization of this knowledge will go a long way to endear an expat to the locals and help bridge the culture gap and minimize misunderstandings.
More subtle topics are considered in later chapters and are aimed at avoiding any resentments which could arise solely due to communication difficulties. People may use the same language but that does not mean they interpret the words in the same way. Our different communication practices and the subsequent assumptions we make may heavily influence our perceptions and understanding.
The later chapters encompass many practical tips on how to integrate into the local life and how to be seen to behave correctly on various occasions such as Chinese weddings and funerals, and on entertaining etiquette.
All in all, this is an essential read for all who intend to live or work in harmony with the local Chinese.
(by Carol Gleadhill
Education and Scholarship Committee Member
American Women’s Association of Hong Kong)
There are many expatriates living and working in Hong Kong and relationships between these expats and local Chinese are congenial. However, even though they may work together as colleagues and meet every day in the workplace, socially, there is little interaction.
It is human nature for people to prefer the company of those of a similar cultural background. Expats tend to live together in the same areas, and both they and the local Chinese generally keep to their own social circles.
The subjects addressed in this book were inspired by students in my Cantonese and Mandarin classes at the American Women’s Association of Hong Kong. My students are expats who mostly originate from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Germany.
From the atmosphere of sincere sharing in my Cantonese and Mandarin classes, I became aware that expats generally find it difficult to mingle with local Chinese. In daily life, they come across many situations they are not sure how to handle, such as choosing gifts for Chinese acquaintances or friends, what to do when invited to a Chinese wedding banquet, and how to eat at a Chinese table. In interacting with local Chinese, they've cited instances of perplexing Chinese talk and behavior. Sometimes this has resulted in a complete misunderstanding of local culture or even in the misconception that Hong Kongers are “ill-mannered”. The Hong Kongers may in turn have similar views about the expats and their culture.
Though Hong Kongers and expats are using the same English language to communicate, sometimes, they may not be able to decode each other’s meaning correctly. Very often, intercultural communicators unconsciously use different cultural assumptions to interpret each other's words, and they end up failing to catch each other’s meaning. They may be perplexed, and even feel resentful at some conversation, but they may not take the trouble to clarify and just let it go. Yet there may be a list of unanswered questions and even misunderstanding remaining in their hearts. It is my belief that a clearer understanding of Hong Kong culture will promote more harmony between these two groups of people.
This book will facilitate the understanding of Hong Kong culture in an easily accessible manner. It explains many aspects of Chinese culture and provides important and practical tips about life in Hong Kong. Although of particular value to newly arrived expats or those who intend to work here in the future, it is equally suitable for longer term residents who still find certain things puzzling.
Besides, this book is also suitable for local Chinese who want to understand the concerns of expats, for instance, staff at international companies, tourist guides and people working with expats. This book is also a useful reference book for local English teachers – a tool book to help them explain cross-cultural communication in an easy-to-understand way.
I hope that the information in this book will lead to better mutual understanding and result in more enjoyable social encounters between Hong Kong Chinese and expats. Read and enjoy!
It is human nature for people to prefer the company of those of a similar cultural background. Expats tend to live together in the same areas, and both they and the local Chinese generally keep to their own social circles.
The subjects addressed in this book were inspired by students in my Cantonese and Mandarin classes at the American Women’s Association of Hong Kong. My students are expats who mostly originate from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Germany.
From the atmosphere of sincere sharing in my Cantonese and Mandarin classes, I became aware that expats generally find it difficult to mingle with local Chinese. In daily life, they come across many situations they are not sure how to handle, such as choosing gifts for Chinese acquaintances or friends, what to do when invited to a Chinese wedding banquet, and how to eat at a Chinese table. In interacting with local Chinese, they've cited instances of perplexing Chinese talk and behavior. Sometimes this has resulted in a complete misunderstanding of local culture or even in the misconception that Hong Kongers are “ill-mannered”. The Hong Kongers may in turn have similar views about the expats and their culture.
Though Hong Kongers and expats are using the same English language to communicate, sometimes, they may not be able to decode each other’s meaning correctly. Very often, intercultural communicators unconsciously use different cultural assumptions to interpret each other's words, and they end up failing to catch each other’s meaning. They may be perplexed, and even feel resentful at some conversation, but they may not take the trouble to clarify and just let it go. Yet there may be a list of unanswered questions and even misunderstanding remaining in their hearts. It is my belief that a clearer understanding of Hong Kong culture will promote more harmony between these two groups of people.
This book will facilitate the understanding of Hong Kong culture in an easily accessible manner. It explains many aspects of Chinese culture and provides important and practical tips about life in Hong Kong. Although of particular value to newly arrived expats or those who intend to work here in the future, it is equally suitable for longer term residents who still find certain things puzzling.
Besides, this book is also suitable for local Chinese who want to understand the concerns of expats, for instance, staff at international companies, tourist guides and people working with expats. This book is also a useful reference book for local English teachers – a tool book to help them explain cross-cultural communication in an easy-to-understand way.
I hope that the information in this book will lead to better mutual understanding and result in more enjoyable social encounters between Hong Kong Chinese and expats. Read and enjoy!