Expat communities?

[timklip]

Why would people jump down my throat? If I fill out a credit card application under occupation I sometimes see "Housewife/Househusband" or just "Homemaker". Don't see what the big deal is. By saying Housewife or Househusband I am covering both sexes and refering to it as someone who does not go to an office or other place of work, but instead in a relationship has elected to stay at home and take care of home business such as cleaning, cooking, and child minding.

They are a person who doesn't "work" per say. Work as in an office or other workplace.

So don't even mention my posts alright? You need the chill the f%3k out.

dude...relax i was referring (with tongue in cheek) to others who are taking the PC stance here...no need to get all wild about it...no offence intended

[paulprout]

Well, this is turning into an interesting thread. I was going to post a response a couple of days ago but decided to hold off, and am glad that I did!

Firstly, to the people who responded to my original question; thank you for the information you have provided, although I'm still perplexed how the place I've seen on hongkonghomes is so cheap - but I suppose I really need to see it first before making such decisions about renting a property and I'm not even in HK yet
Anyway, on to the other tangent that this thread has diverged...

I read with interest many comments about a housewife/person, etc., and I suppose I could add fuel to the fire by making the statement that I could possibly have a significant other who is not necessarily a female! However, my wife – Trish, was in the PC sense of the word a homemaker during our stay in Singapore. We had a “helper”, commonly referred to as a maid by the locals who would assist with the usual daily activities but Trish did not preclude herself from mopping floors, cooking and other such mundane tasks.

However, Trish is actually a successful individual and also finds time to run her own business here in Australia whilst also supporting mine; this is in addition to the usual homemaker activities that have been identifed in this thread. As a homemaker does Trish work? Damn straight she does, she holds as much significance in our family as any other person and I would never, ever, refer to her as my possession as no doubt some people do.

I’d also like to mirror a comment made that no matter how long one has been an expat, you are looked upon as a tourist. This is quite true, and during our stay in Singapore we were constantly looked at because of our complexion. For me, this was not an issue, but I imagine that others might find this quite disconcerting.

Not wanting to mix with the locals is as far from reality for us as possible. My wife is of Malay / British parentage (who happen to have been born in Singapore!) and the simple fact is that our first expat experience removed us almost entirely from the Australian culture that we have become accustomed to. Living in a non-expat area in Singapore was certainly a learning experience for us, and as it seems, may not be for others. We have made the decision, if we are to come to HK, to reside in an area that has people in a similar situation as ourselves.

I sincerely appreciate all of the comments that have been made so far, and I hope that we may get to meet some of you on our next expat adventure.

Oh, and for the record I’m a pretty good cook, just ask Trish, our friends and family! I can make a mean laksa, chicken noodle soup, and my pizzas are the best

For now,


Paul...

[carang]

can i come to your house for dinner then???laksa....MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM! GOOD!

[paulprout]

can i come to your house for dinner then???laksa....MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM! GOOD!

Absolutely! Just need to find a job, house and all that first Shameless plug to follow - Know anyone that needs an IT professional with 20 years experience in a wide range of areas, including resources and financials? Profile at http://www.linkedin.com/in/paulprout - will happily make laksa until you've had your fill!

!!!
Paul...

[muse07]

Muse, then you should think, is there any problem with you?

I didn't mean for the 1st meet, you can bring the guy home. But start from a smile (a very basic manners), slowly to a greeting, then some conversation the end will become friend.

Maybe I am a bit talkative, basically I can talk with anybody even for the 1st meet. So easily I can make friend with anybody.

You say people tend to make friend through workplace, social activities...that right for some situation. But how about housewife (Expat wife, who have a job not in this category, because themselve are expat also, am I right?)? The easiest place for them to meet others was the place they live, because they spent most of time there.

Don't forget neighbour was the people that might help us while we are in some household trouble. Locals, at least they are more familiar compare with any expat.

Hi Eric - you make some good points. Personally though I am not used to becoming friends with someone on the street, in the neighbourhood, etc (although admittedly, since being in HK I have talked to/met a few people in bars here - the atmosphere here is quite friendly, international and multicultural, which is what I am quite enjoying) I am too busy with work and social life in general But can see it might be different for people who spend more time around the home and in the neighbourhood or people who are more comfortable striking up conversations in the street

[xavier]

Dear "Those who get offended by Eric's use of the word housewife":

It is so helpful to know about different cultures!

In my country we speak Spanish, here Ama de Casa means housewife. Wives who are not Amas de Casa will most likely not get offended by the term because most women are in fact Amas de Casa, they would kindly point out instead that they are not Amas de Casa.

Bearing this in mind....

One could assume that in Eric's native language it would also be the case that the word housewife doesn't carry negative connotations and that he merely translated the word to English from his native language. Understanding this would lead one to give the benefit of the doubt to Eric and save oneself the trouble of being offended.

Hope you have a better life in the future.

Sincerely,

Xavier

[sunniefaith]

Paul,

Laksa??? Yum!!! Was just talking to a fellow Sporean in HK and lamenting how hard it is to find good Sporean food. It was easier when we were living in Perth.

Seriously, living amongs locals in HK can be hard. I'm Sporean and obviously not white. And I'm not totally accepted amongst the locals. So I end up hanging out with people from Geoexpat or some other friends but I rarely head out with locals. People at work are not very social as well so at times it can be rather lonely.

[carang]

i don't have a problem with the term housewife... i have a problem with the phrases..."only a housewife" or "my wife doesn't work, she's ONLY a housewife"....


i don't think enough people give credit where it's due. raising children is the HARDEST job you could ever do. it is NOT a "long hours" type job... it is an ALL hours type job...you have never "finished" work. there's always more to do.not to mention the responsibility your have been given. you are raising the next generation...if you screw it up, we are all in for big trouble!

if it was a paying position, there would be an awful lot more women millionaires out there.

ps. i'm not a housewife.

[Skyhook]

Hi, first post so be gentle!

We have lived in Singapore for two years up until recently (now back in Oz) and am looking to perhaps move to HK. Singapore has a few expat communities, or areas that expats tend to live (East Coast, Holland Village, to name a couple).

Are there any such areas in HK?

Thanks,


Paul...

I tend to agree with carangs last post.

But in HK there is a man is king mentality, ring an insurance company for a quote on car insurance and mention that your significant other is to be the policy holder. If your spous is not employed under a career capacity, and listed as a "housewife", the insurance company in Hong Kong, will not issue a policy. Regardless that her husband may earn more than enough, or the fact that the policy is pre paid. It's very aparant of what the attitude toward women among local men really is. Not having a career in the eyes of the insurance company means that you are stupid, so you are more likely to have an accident. I got this info from a well known xpat specilist insurance company.

Another point also, most Hong Kong people do not cook at home, what is Eric prattling on about ?

I do most of the cooking at home, or I share the cooking with my spouse, I cook local dishes, infact I just finished cooking Yang Zhou Chai Farn in the wok. But we also have a fully equipped kitchen at home thats bigger than most locals bedrooms.

The stereotype about HK people cooking just isnt truthfull, xpats are 100 times more likely to cook/entertain at home ( especially in Saikung/DB/Gold Coast) and a fair percentage of them would be men sharing the cooking/cleaning duties.

We don't have a maid, nor would we ever require one, not unless we have a larger than 5000ft2 home, that possibly might warrant the need for staff, we are most comfortable in our roof top 1400ft apartment.

Erics comments did get up my nose, I must confess, especially as I have lived here long enough to develope our own individual clique.

Locals have their cultural way, westerners have theirs, and to be honest, we enjoy spending time at home, inviting our multi cultural friends over for BBQs at our home, something I have never seen a local request. Locals like to invite people to dinner at a restaurant, not to their home, which doesnt sit well with my on a cultivation point of view. I like to see people in their native habitat, warts and all, and if they think I wouldnt enjoy the company of dinner with their parents and possibly grand parents, just show's how superficial most locals are....

I love the community in the Gold Coast Tuen Mun area, really awesome people over here, free of the pretension and 3 decades past stereotypes.

[carang]

i don't think that it has anything to do with not wanting you in their home, it has to do with the fact that their home is 250' for a family of 4...there's not much room to entertain at home.

i'm married to a local and i have been invited to some of his friend's homes, but only once for dinner. for the others, we always go out to eat. it's just easier for them.