Life in Hong Kong for Americans

Moving to Hong Kong from the US is both an exciting and nerve-wracking time, and if you’ve never lived in a country other than your own before, then these emotions can be exacerbated even further.

But as with anything, the more knowledge you have about a subject, the better armed you are to deal with it. And that’s the exact purpose of this article – to help equip you with some relevant information that will give you an idea of what to expect when you land in your new home.

We’ve done our best to come up with real issues that might help: sure, you can find out about the history of Hong Kong, the population, the local food, and the weather. That’s easily found out online.

But what we’re talking about is the everyday things that are going to feel different – and in some cases, way different – to what they are back at home. The following covers some of the ‘need to know’ issues that you’re probably dying to ask someone, but don’t know who or if you should.

So, the big question – is it safe living in Hong Kong?

One thing Hong Kong is is safe. In fact, in 2015, crime statistics dropped 2.7% to a 36 year low. There are no current security alerts issued (as of March 2016), and violent crime is rare.

However, this is a crowded city, so it’s probably to be expected that petty crime, such as pickpocketing and bag snatching, does occur. Simply exercise caution – the same as you would in a city at home—to make sure you don’t become a victim.

And just so you know, the emergency phone number is 999 in Hong Kong.

Should I drive out there?

The biggest difference with driving here is that they drive on the left! For an American – that’s just wrong—everything about it is wrong! You sit on the wrong side of the car, the gearshift is worked with your left (wrong) hand – even the seat belt feels wrong. But joking apart, if you’re a confident driver, you’ll soon get used to everything being the wrong way round.

The other big thing is that in urban areas, the roads are crowded – seriously crowded. Now, if you’re from New York or another big city, then this isn’t going to be a big deal.

But if you hail from a nice small town where the traffic rarely snarls, then the streets of HK are going to be somewhat of a jungle. The roads are very narrow compared to those of the US, frequently unmarked, and another consequence of so many cars on the roads is that parking can be a nightmare. That’s the reason so many people shun cars in favour of the excellent public transport system – the MTR.

Do I really need to speak Chinese?

OK – let’s get right to the crux here. If you live in Hong Kong without speaking a smattering of the local language (which, by the way is Cantonese, with Mandarin as a secondary language), it is going to be an issue.

Sure, it is possible. After all, the signs are in English and if you stick to only mixing with other expats then you’ll be able to communicate. But in all honesty, doing this is only giving you half the experience of living in such a global, international hub.

Look – no one will expect you to become fluent. But taking the time to learn a few words (please, thank you, hello etc.) will not only help you get by, but will give you huge kudos with the locals. And integration is what living overseas is all about, in our humble opinion.

Outside of the expat and business areas, don’t expect many people to speak English. If travelling around, it always helps to have a crib sheet with things like your home destination written in Cantonese (and Mandarin if you can), so you can show these to a taxi driver to get you home if necessary.

What differences can I expect at work?

If you think Americans work long hours, then Hong Kong will make you think again. Officially, most people are meant to work from 09:00 to 18:00 – but you’re never going to be able to stick to these hours – it’s going to be a lot longer. And one thing that is fairly common practice is working a half-day on a Saturday – something you’re just going to have to get used to.

When it comes to annual vacations – the minimum legal allowance is 7 days per year. Less than 15 days is very common. In addition to these you’ll get the official annual religions and national holidays that are set by the government – these amount to 17 days.

One thing that many find difficult to get to grips with, at least at first, is the concept of group achievements. In other words, your individual results at work are largely ignored – it’s what is carried out as a team that counts (although your efforts will be noticed, of course. But expect to get praise for the team as a whole, rather than an individual).

It also can come as a bit of a shock to Americans that in Hong Kong, humility is seen as strength. That can be somewhat of a culture shock, as it’s not seen that way so much at home. In the US it’s normal to stand tall, speak directly and ensure that you’re heard. In Hong Kong, business is not conducted in the same way. For instance, sales people are very indirect in their approach.

It’s also considered rude not to keep in touch with contacts during all dealings – even if someone isn’t directly involved. In the US (and indeed the western world as a whole), it’s usual only to make contact when it’s necessary to. But in Hong Kong (and China), only making contact when you need to is considered the height of bad manners.

Last but not least, this is a country where you need to walk.

Not everywhere, admittedly. But when you’re used to jumping in the car to drive a few hundred yards to the supermarket, suddenly using your own legs as a method of transport can be a shock to the system. But hey, think of it as a huge advantage (and one that means you can save on your gym membership) – because you’ll be doing wonders for your fitness levels.

It’s different in Hong Kong, that’s for sure. A lot different from back home. But that’s half the fun of living and working in a different country and culture. Try to relax, accept and just allow yourself time to adjust.

Embracing the differences rather than working against them is the key to settling in. Before you know it, you’ll be acting like a local and giving advice to other newbies on their arrival. It’ll amaze you how quickly you’ll settle in. Have fun, and enjoy your alternative life.