Travel Troubles

Most Hong Kong travel agencies have one thing in common: they offer no information in English.

In Sha Tin New Town Plaza, for example, all the agencies have windows and walls plastered with flyers listing destinations and travel packages, but only the price is readable. Those who don't read Chinese are out of luck.

It's puzzling, considering the expatriate community is composed of many nationalities where English is either the mother tongue or a learned second language, and most expats need to travel from time to time.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not an arrogant foreigner who expects everyone to speak English and gets upset when they don't. Expats should make the effort to learn Cantonese, but speaking it is easier than reading and writing traditional Chinese, which requires formal instruction.

I'm sure the situation is different in districts where Westerners are concentrated, but I shouldn't have to commute to get answers.

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