A few days in HK so far and I hate it. Tell me I'm being ridiculous.

[applejacks]

Things I Hate About HK
-blatant and sanctioned classism/racism
-self-racism/white worship (I myself am asian american, specifically mainland chinese american)
-materialism, someone described it to me as locals are more "presentation" oriented
-pollution
-housing $$$
-fellow women seemingly mostly into either face whitening or shopping

Is basically everyone just living here for career/job/money reasons?

[TheBrit]

Welcome to Hong Kong

[applejacks]

Some pluses:
state of public infrastructure (esp relative to the US)
taxes (we get a ~$100k USD exemption and won't have to pay hefty US state and local taxes which'll save 10% on top of what we save due to the ~100k USD exemption)
food (cheaper and I like Asian food)

My problem is most of my problems have to do with the actual people. That seems worse.

[jimbo]

Rise above it or wallow in the misery.
Some choose the latter unfortunately.

[100LL]

Didn't you earlier mention you are on a HK$ 200k/month paycheck?

Surely that should be able to put a smile on your face, despite the people problems?

(easy solution: stick to the expats or other ABCs)

[applejacks]

Didn't you earlier mention you are on a HK$ 200k/month paycheck?

Surely that should be able to put a smile on your face, despite the people problems?

(easy solution: stick to the expats or other ABCs)

We feel very lucky all the time.

Perhaps I would feel better about it if I felt that fact makes us better than other people a la locals...or if I enjoyed giving LVMH some $$$.

I should go to bed. I am all catty and judgemental today.

[bibbju]

Is basically everyone just living here for career/job/money reasons?

Pretty much. Although there are quite a few Geo members who are here for love - or at least stayed here after finding love. Btw, I'm not one of them. I'm here for career reasons. And warmer weather.

[scrambler]

r u still jet lagged?


give it a chance... put some effort in go meet ppl who do stuff like Hiking/dragonboating/sport ---> my missus's mate is in a female rugby team for instance - I dont think they go in for face whitenin...

[jayinhongkong]

While I agree with you 100% on everything you said, there are LOTS of exceptions and outliers. Welcome to HK!

[imparanoic]

Some pluses:
state of public infrastructure (esp relative to the US)
taxes (we get a ~$100k USD exemption and won't have to pay hefty US state and local taxes which'll save 10% on top of what we save due to the ~100k USD exemption)
food (cheaper and I like Asian food)

My problem is most of my problems have to do with the actual people. That seems worse.

scratch the surface, then you discover real hk, I presume you only hang around LKF and parts of hk island, there are plenty of real people in other places.

less materialism and fake personalities outside these areas

also note that NT has much less of the pollution problem esp visible pollution, it was nasty across Victoria harbour, yet really nice in tolo harbour yesterday ( I also compared hk observatory for vic harbour photo at same time, still disgustingly crap)