Notes » June 2006

The Rude Bunch

A Reader's Digest global survey contends that Hong Kongers are a rude bunch.

"We sent out our undercover reporters to conduct three tests - [they] walked closely behind someone going through a door to see if people would hold the door for the person behind, made a small purchase and see if shopkeepers said 'thank you' and dropped a pile of papers at busy spots to see if passers-by would help out ..."

What kind of tests are those?

After SARS, no one wants to touch a door handle any longer than they have to.

As for shopkeepers, it's obvious the Reader's Digest staff never went to any mall chain stores, where cries of "Halowwelcome!" and "Thankyoubyebyyyyyye!" are heard with alarming regularity.

And dropping papers in a city where people are still learning the correct way of disposing their litter? Please.

Overall I disagree that Hong Kongers are rude as a rule. Most folks I meet are polite and friendly. When I walk up the road from the village, all the elderly ladies out for morning exercise greet me with "Good Morning".

Wherever I shop, I'm usually thanked for my patronage.

Rudeness in Hong Kong manifests itself in other ways; if Reader's Digest reporters wanted to experience it, all they had to do was visit a wet market during peak hours.

Being stuck in a crowd of housewives and domestic helpers all pushing and shoving to get the best pick of fresh produce is no picnic.

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