Hong Kong is NOT a hardship posting.
Approaches to life may be different and not what you are used to... But that does not mean they are necessarily bad or wrong. Below is a list of things happy people don't do from WSI
1. Compare Themselves To Others
Happy people are content being individuals and don’t succumb to jealousy. They don’t try to be like anyone else, and they don’t seek anyone else’s approval. When they want to improve, they do it for themselves. They set goals unique to them and compare themselves only to their past selves, ignoring societal pressure to be a certain way. If other people like their individuality, that’s great. If they don’t, that’s fine too.
2. Try To Change Others
People who are happy with themselves and their own flaws have also accepted other people and the imperfections around them. People might change for the better, but they probably won’t. Accept people for exactly who they are, just as you’d want them to accept you.
3. Rely On Others To Make Them Happy
There’s a trend emerging here: happiness really does need to come from within and won’t be supplied by anyone else. Happy people may dream big and have high hopes, but they don’t usually expect much from those around them. They don’t count on others to make their day. Instead, they rely on themselves, do the things they love and make their own happiness.
4. Hold Grudges
Content people forgive those who have wronged them, even if they don’t ask forgiveness. Grudges are a waste of energy and take away from one’s overall happiness. Instead of living in the past, let bygones be bygones and move on with your life.
5. Have Regrets
Regrets are just like grudges, except all that negative energy is focused on yourself instead of someone else. Let yourself make mistakes, and then learn and grow from them. Your life experiences, both positive and negative, make you who you are. Use them to propel yourself forward into a more successful future.
6. Stay In Negative Environments
If something in particular is standing in the way of your happiness, remove yourself from the situation. Whether you’re in a dead-end desk job when your dream is to fly planes, or you simply found yourself at a party with people who are bringing you down, find a way to get back to a positive environment that can help you be happy.
7. Lie To Themselves
Happy people tell it like it is. They don’t pretend everything is perfect. They just accept that it isn’t. When there’s a problem, they prefer to tackle it head-on and rectify the situation rather than sweeping it under a rug. Honesty and frankness are their assets.
8. Give Up
Happy people know that failure is only temporary. When things go wrong, they get up and try again. Sure, they might reexamine the issue, change their approach or even tweak their goals, but they never walk away when they reach an obstacle. If they set their sights on a goal, they’re going to accomplish it.
9. Ignore Their Instincts
Content people trust themselves and follow their instincts. They do what they feel is right for them in any given situation. That means their choices are theirs alone, and they take full responsibility for the consequences. If a decision doesn’t feel completely right or natural, reevaluate it.
10. Take Things For Granted
Joyful people understand and acknowledge what they have and what they’re given. They are grateful for their good fortune. They make sure they appreciate everything from the fact that they have clean drinking water and roofs over their heads to the fact that so-and-so from Human Resources brought in donuts this morning.
11. Keep Their Happiness To Themselves
Happy people share their contentment with the world. They express gratitude, they do nice things for others and they pass on their good spirits, all without expecting anything in return.
If you want to be more at ease with Hong Kong and enjoy what the city offers changing your approach might be good place to start. You seem to think people have no time for you as you are a 'mainlander'. People have little time for anyone, just smile, be pleasant and get on with it. Approaching a problem with a smile usually gets a different result.
If you don't like the nouveau riche and their need to display wealth of watches and handbags in blingy shopping malls go eat at a Dai Po Dong for lunch or find something that you used to enjoy in your spare time - You probably also need to put more 'ing' into your life, everybody needs to feel part of something and doing more 'Ãng' stuff is the best way. All these 'Ãngs' are readily available in HK - painting, walking, cooking, climbing, diving, motorcycling, running, reasearching, volateering, dancing etc.
Good luck. If you are really struggling