First Impressions/ Respecting the Culture

Hong Kong is smaller than you would expect; about one third the size of Manhattan.  Hong Kong has roughly the same number of people as New York City in roughly a third of the space.  One of the first things you notice about this town is how small it is- not small in human presence, personality or scope, but rather small in area (which of course if measured in Kilometers).  The subway, or MTR, which runs on the northern, most populated and active part of the island can be rode from end to end in 25 minutes.

After understanding the size of the city the next unavoidable fact of life here is the speed.  Everything is faster: the pace on the street
, even the escalators are faster.  A rat race and concrete jungle that makes NYC feel like a beach stroll.  

Today, Jenn and I had the opportunity of meeting with a private cultural trainer.  Jeremy Wong, who literally explained that his name is fake; a title randomly chosen for the purpose or working with foreign clients.  "Jeremy's" real name is a Chinese word meaning prosperity, which is hidden behind his family name and generational name.  Of course, Jenn and I would need Chinese names.  My new chinese name, which I still am having trouble pronouncing means "luck".  Jenn's means beauty (of course), and he turned her last name into Du (which is funny on so many levels).

The crux of our training, its purpose, was to expand our personal understating of cultural contexts through a historical lens.  More importantly, and somewhat subtler the purpose was to teach us to RESPECT this culture. But what do I do when I disagree with an element of that culture?  How do you strike a balance of respecting culture, when the culture has developed an unsavory habit?

The Hong Kongers, and mainland Chinese to a lesser extent, are an admittedly and outwardly materialistic.  Certainly materialism is not a foreign concept to a New Jersey transplant, but here it is a whole new level.  Station in Hong Kong is clearly, and mostly openly, defined by the quality of your garb. Cars, custom suits, tailored shirts, fancy shoes and jewelry are worn not only to work but to weekend get together and BBQs.  It is not uncommon, during meetings to be aware that your counterpart is adding up the cost of your outfit.

How do I learn to respect an important element of culture that truly conflicts with a personal ideal?  For now; balance, patience and open-mindedness.

Pics coming soon...

Peace and Feng Shui:
Far East Coast Gross