Half-Chinese experience in HK

doogle · 15-02-2005, 03:12 AM

Hello,

I'm curious about the experiences of people who are Half-Chinese in Hong Kong. Some refer to themselves as Eurasian, Mixed, Half-Breeds, Bi-Racial...if one of your parents is Chinese, then this applies.

They are so few around, I wonder if I can get responses from any, or even somebody who knows any...

I would like to know:

What is the other half?

Do you think you have a problem with identity; you don't quite know who you are, or the reverse: you know a lot about yourself and have too much choices to choose from?

Do you identify more with your Chinese side or the other side?

Do you speak the language? (Cantonese/ Mandarin or other)

Also:

Did you grow up in HK?

If not, what draws/drew/brought you to HK?

I've many other questions...but for now I'll share the names of some HK Half-Chinese celebrities:

Carl Ng Ka-Lung (actor)

Rosemary Vanderbukle (HK Supermodel)

Isabella (singer, EEG label)

Michael Wong (Wong Man-Dak) (actor)

Steven Cheung (Singer, 1/2 of the duo Boy'z, EEG)

Karen Mok (actress)

Anthony Wong (actor)

Daniel Wu (actor)

(btw the last two will be appearing with Twins in the movie "House of Fury")

kombuchakid · 15-02-2005, 01:36 PM

dont know about the other 'celebs' you listed , but Karen Mok aka Karen Joy Morris may not take too kindly to be fobbed off as a Half Chinese. Her pedigree is much more convoluted and interesting;

Mother is quarter-Persian, quarter-German on her father's side, half-Chinese from her mother's; father is half-Welsh on his father's side, half-Chinese from his mother's.

meemiathai · 15-02-2005, 06:22 PM

Hello,
I am half scot half chinese.(father-scot, mother-shanghainese) Grew up here in HK without a father.(passed away in a car accident when I was 4) And apparently my cantonese is much better than my english.
I am 36 now.

Looking back through all these years I do think I had some problems in identifying myself in terms of who I was. If I should tell people I am chinese or british. Luckily for the past 5,6 years, I am gradually becoming more and more confident of who I am. I am just I. I no longer give a flying ass to what nationality I belong to.

And if I am going to have any children, they are going to be a quarter scot, a quarter chinese, and half thai. Interesting eh!

Are there any questions? I would be more than happy to tell you about my story.

ekki · 16-02-2005, 04:32 AM

Hi I thought i'd attach a picture of me and Carl Ng.. we are both Eurasian.. though I prefer the term "mongrel" ;-)

I am half british half chinese, and was born and raised in Hong Kong by my mother. It seems that most eurasians I know all around the world, come from broken families.

I speak english, cantonese and a bit of mandarin, and have a strong interest in learning more languages.

I don't have a problem identifying with my "race", simply because I view "Eurasian" as another catagory of ethnicity. I am not chinese or english, I am eurasian. living in HK makes it easier to not lean one way or the other, even though HK is chinese, it is also very diverse with different races and culture, especially English. So here in HK, I feel right at home!

When it comes to my personality, however, I have many tradtitional chinese morals. For example, the importance of respect, loyalty and being humble.

Well I guess thats all from me for now..

I hope this helps you!

Begbie · 19-02-2005, 03:38 PM

Eurasians are hot!!!

doogle · 19-02-2005, 11:27 PM

There are a couple of theories to explain the hotness of Eurasians/hybrids. The following website lists a few to date:

http://www.gnxp.com/MT2/archives/000790.html

1) More attractiveness than usual is required for people to cross the race line
2) Multiracial people benefit from hybrid vigor/heterosis (source)
3) They aren't really attractive per se , just exotic looking
4) Averaging of features is attractive in general, and happens more readily with different ancestry parents (source)
5) Averaging of attractive people results in attractive faces, and symmetry is a comparatively weak factor (Dienekes)

The webpage also posts some photos of some attractive half-asian women and an informative discussion on the topic.

doogle · 26-02-2005, 12:14 AM

Oh yeah - all 8 of them here in Hong Kong.

regarding my experience:
I feel like I'm a kid in a candy store. I have a lot of great things about both sides to choose from. Or all of it if I like.

I'm also eager to pick up Cantonese to better communicate with my family and friends I have made.

The other half is French-Canadian and Scottish.

cardany · 28-02-2005, 03:57 PM

I lived in HK when I was 15/16. (I'm now 18). I'm half American (mostly French), a quarter Chinese and a quarter Thai. I don't speak any Cantonese. It was really interesting when I lived there because some people would try to speak to me in Cantonese while others spoke to me in English. I supposed whether you look local depends on the person who talks to you?!
I have always been confused as to what ethnicity I am. I live in the states and eurasian isn't really a term here. I guess California is so diverse that you don't really need to specify your ethnicity.
I love HK! And I'm going there for the summer!

fashioncath · 09-03-2005, 01:35 AM

Originally Posted by ekki

Hi I thought i'd attach a picture of me and Carl Ng.. we are both Eurasian.. though I prefer the term "mongrel" ;-)

I am half british half chinese, and was born and raised in Hong Kong by my mother. It seems that most eurasians I know all around the world, come from broken families.

I speak english, cantonese and a bit of mandarin, and have a strong interest in learning more languages.

I don't have a problem identifying with my "race", simply because I view "Eurasian" as another catagory of ethnicity. I am not chinese or english, I am eurasian. living in HK makes it easier to not lean one way or the other, even though HK is chinese, it is also very diverse with different races and culture, especially English. So here in HK, I feel right at home!

When it comes to my personality, however, I have many tradtitional chinese morals. For example, the importance of respect, loyalty and being humble.

Well I guess thats all from me for now..

I hope this helps you!

Hey when did you get to meet carl? what's he like?

kodokuma · 18-03-2005, 02:49 PM

I am Eurasian male living and working as an actor film/stage in HK. My family background is as follows:

1. I was born in the states to a British,Scottish,Dutch,Indonesian,Chinese parents! Thats a spoonful!
2. I was ridiculed at a young age and questioned quite often as a young man. The look was very unique and curious to all. I lived with that all my life and it did bother at a young age because I had very little friends but I've overcomed and grew out of it later in life and accepted who I was. It is still a bit unsettling because I am still seeking my asian roots.
3. I identify with more on the asian side. My mother is Dutch/Indo/Chinese. I am influence from her asian background.
4. I speak English and Dutch. I really regreat not speaking Canto or even Mandarin.
5. I relocated to HK from the states. I was raised in the states but heavily influenced by European/Asian Standards from parents. Living in HK these past 4 years has brought me closer to my asian heritage. I have more understanding and respect for my culture and to myself.

I'm very proud of my heritage. Its rich and full of history. I will carry that on to my children. I have the advantage of having both knowledge and instincts of being european and yet being asian. It lands me the roles in film. At least I'm grateful for that!

K!

Originally Posted by doogle

Hello,

I'm curious about the experiences of people who are Half-Chinese in Hong Kong. Some refer to themselves as Eurasian, Mixed, Half-Breeds, Bi-Racial...if one of your parents is Chinese, then this applies.

They are so few around, I wonder if I can get responses from any, or even somebody who knows any...

I would like to know:

What is the other half?

Do you think you have a problem with identity; you don't quite know who you are, or the reverse: you know a lot about yourself and have too much choices to choose from?