Surviving Hong Kong

Every country has its own customs and manners. The city of Hong Kong has certain restrictions and regulations regarding different cases and matters. Much of the etiquette in Hong Kong stems from superstitions, especially when it comes to table manners and giving gifts. Enjoy your time in Hong Kong, but remember to keep some basic etiquette guidelines in mind throughout your trip. Manners are very important to locals in Hong Kong. In spite of being a city where there is lots of tourism, it is important to remember their customs and traditions out of respect. Surviving Hong Kong gives you a compact guideline as to what to follow when you are in Hong Kong. During your stay in Hong Kong you must try to follow and maintain the tips given below. This will thus ensure a hassle-free, relaxed, enjoyable and memorable stay in the city.

 

1. Do not reveal your anger or temper in public places.

2. Do not be tardy for any invitation or appointment at all. If you are late, apologize repeatedly. Apologize again and again even if the delay was no fault of your own.

3. Do not commence your dinner until you are indicated to do so.

4. Do not hold your chopsticks upright, as it is considered unlucky.

5. Don’t pour your own drink first. Instead, make a toast about business or friendship. Pour everyone a drink, and even if the person's cup is filled, pour a few drops in.

6. Don’t take the last bit of food in a serving plate. It's considered impolite. Also, leave a little bit of food left on your plate when you're full so the hosts know you are done, otherwise they'll bring out even more food.

7. When dining in Hong Kong, never turn a whole fish over. Turning a fish over is considered bad luck in Hong Kong, because it represents a capsizing boat.

8. Don’t wear blue or white in social settings. These colours tend to be for mourning.

9. Don’t give a a clock as a gift in Hong Kong. Clocks are associated with death and funerals and a clock as a gift can be seen as a sinister action.

10. Don’t give sharp objects that you can cut things with as gifts, such as knives or scissors. It can actually be an offensive gift because it signifies cutting off the friendship.

11. Don’t give anything in sets of fours. Four is a very unlucky number Chinese culture, much like the number 13 is in many cultures. They don't even have fourth floors in buildings, much like how in the U.S. we don't have thirteenth floors.

12. Don’t wrap a gift in white wrapping paper. It symbolizes death or mourning, which is also why Chinese brides do not wear white.

13. Don’t take your top off at the beach in Hong Kong. Public nudity is illegal.

14. Don’t point with your index finger. Instead, use your palm when pointing at something.

15. Do not make any bad comments regarding someone or something.

16. Don’t expect taxi drivers to speak English. Do carry a map or better yet, a written Cantonese instruction.

17. Don't drink the water from the faucet directly. Boil the water before you drink it, or buy distilled/mineral water from supermarkets.

18. Stay away from political and religious arguments.

19. Do not take snaps of airport, certain religious and public buildings.

20. Don't jay-walk. The police are on the look out for violations especially where there are traffic lights.  Hefty fines are imposed for violations.

21. Don't litter. This is also against the law.

22. Do not bring any kind of addictive and harmful drug materials to the city.