Hong Kong Designer - Diary

Now this entry isn’t to bash Indians, just really an observation. In my time in HK I’ve heard many Indian’s speak Cantonese fluently and have total respect for these guys. Now I notice that Gweilo’s (are Indian’s considered to be Gweilo’s?) are less involved in speaking the language - preferring their native language. Now why is this, when in places such as Beijing and Shanghai foreigners have picked up Putongwa quite well even though many people can understand English?

Maybe now’s the time for you to have a laugh at George Adams over at NTSCMP persistently trying to speak English to a parrot, when the owner clearly tells him it only speaks Chinese. George actually sounds like a parrot in this clip and actually reminds me of a pubescent boy who’s voice is breaking. Here’s the clip.

Anyway because to the subject of Indians and I was also wondering if they get ever hassled on the streets in HK? If you walk around TST shopping centre Gweilo’s will be asked if they want to buy copy watches and suits, whilst Chinese people get chased by Icable or telecom representatives trying to sell them the latest offers. Then there’s the leaflet distributors, of which there are two types: One aimed at Gweilo’s (usually before or exiting the escalators) or the other aimed at Chinese in Chinese language. There seems to be no in-between and it’s difficult to judge somedays if the Leaflet Distributor will thrust a leaflet in your hand or totally ignore you.

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