Regardless of where you live in the world, there is always racism, however the degree varies.
Experiencing different cultures raises tolerance and understanding of different cultures.
Regardless of where you live in the world, there is always racism, however the degree varies.
Experiencing different cultures raises tolerance and understanding of different cultures.
Toronto is 51% visible minorities, way more diverse then then the other cities mentioned, Canada, while being perhaps the most multicultural country in the world, unfortunately still struggles with it's racial issues like the rest but at least it's much less segregated than US or UK.
As for HK, its impact is felt the most by POC as @shri mentioned but still probably the most tolerant in Asia (not sure about SG tho). However, it's still a safe city and rarely would soemone go out of their way to cause harm in daily life.
Civil/public services should also be fine here compared to other regional nations.
That is interesting you had experiences where people would run away if they saw you. Strange as surely they would've seen a fair few foreigners in HK (something like 10% foreign I thought) or at least on TV?
By your estimates, would those be long term HK residents / natives or would that have come from mainlanders or fresh arrivals to HK from other, less cosmopolitan parts of Asia?
Last edited by wawahi1212; 16-08-2020 at 05:38 PM.
I assume most of them are long-term HK residents/natives. In one instance, a middle-aged woman asked me (in fluent Cantonese) to move away from her while I was clearly standing four feet away from her. lol. I can definitely say that these are a minority, who are probably frustrated with their own lives.
Meanwhile, I have met several wonderful local Hong Hongers too; my neighbours, colleagues, local grocery store employees, and the staff of restaurants I frequently visit. I have even encountered some strangers, who greeted me with full-blown smiles during my long hikes.
The racism is manageable for adults. I am not sure about kids as I do not what happens in schools.
Hong Kong is an amazing place to live if you have a good job and some nice people to hangout with.
I assume most of them are long-term HK residents/natives. In one instance, a middle-aged woman asked me (in fluent Cantonese) to move away from her while I was clearly standing four feet away from her. lol. I can definitely say that these are a minority, who are probably frustrated with their own lives.
Meanwhile, I have met several wonderful local Hong Hongers too; my neighbours, colleagues, local grocery store employees, and the staff of restaurants I frequently visit. I have even encountered some strangers, who greeted me with full-blown smiles during my long hikes.
The racism is manageable for adults. I am not sure about kids as I do not what happens in schools.
Hong Kong is an amazing place to live if you have a good job and some nice people to hangout with.
Brown "Asian looking" people can get discriminated against. For example, I live in a marina. I have invited many friends over while I have lived here, and if they were white, they just walk past the guards at the marina gate with a smile and perhaps "i'm going to Axx". But my "brown" american friend (of very mixed heritage! But VERY american) was stopped and grilled. But because she is American, she just hit the roof and they backed off and let her through.... (this was before covid and form filling to enter anywhere!).
So yes. HK is racist. But usually if you stand tall, (particularly, dress well) and push back at it, it seems to just fizzle.
ESF has been in the news a number of times in June/July for racism allegations, but appears to be mostly racism against non-white students and staff.
https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/famil...-international
https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/famil...gations-racism
I'm Brown so this might help ... From my experience, HKers aren't racist (Maybe the old generation are but I have limited interaction with them) but they definitely will discriminate based on your social status so dress well and you shall be fine.
The only time I've seen people walk away from me on MTRs are usually the older generation. Normally, I wish people would walk away from me as I hate how crowded MTR gets during peak hours.
Plus I am into cologne so I believe I generally smell inviting