Notes » August 2004

Beware of the MAW

When it comes to pushiness and queue-jumping, no other group in Hong Kong contains a larger number of offenders than middle-aged women.

That's right, I said it.

I've observed their behaviour for years; some middle-aged women (MAW) act as though the world owes them a favour.

Rest assured the majority of MAW are nice people, but the high percentage of impatient matrons among them leads me to be wary of the lot. Those with dour or miserable expressions are suspect.

Examples of their lack of social graces abound:

• At our estate, people often queue early to ensure a seat on the shuttle bus. Some folks even wait under the merciless sun outside the air-conditioned central club house. When the bus pulls in, a few MAW inside the club house butt into the head of the queue under the mistaken belief that sitting on the couch is the same as standing in line.

• While I wait as the stall owner at the local wet market weighs and prices my vegetables, MAW insist on grabbing something and paying for it (by waving money about) before he's finished serving me.

• MAW are notorious for coveting seats on trains. Regardless of reminders to allow space for exiting passengers, they rush the doors and force their way aboard.

• When I pay for my purchases at the grocery store, MAW next in line often push into my space before the cashier hands me the receipt.

• When I'm speaking to the hostess at the dim sum restaurant, MAW interrupt to demand when they can expect to be seated.

Why does this group have so many rude ladies within and what causes their impatience? Does it have something to do with the numbers of middle-aged men who keep girlfriends across the border, or is it just hormones? No one knows.

Whatever the reasons, beware when in Hong Kong: middle-aged women are everywhere.

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