My friend Lara was passing through Asia on business and after a couple of glasses of champagne in BKK, she talked me into taking off with her to Hong Kong a couple of days later. Only a 2.5 hr flight from BKK, HK is surprisingly close.....and as I would discover, it is surprising in many other ways as well.
(yes, this was after the aforementioned champagne :)After 4 days in Hong Kong, I said to myself, "I might like to live here at some point in my life." So what is so special about HK you ask? Hmmmm, what's not special is really the question. A city with spectacular water and mountain views, the most charming aspects of both Chinese and British culture and a phenomenally rich tapestry of offerings that only an international city as vibrant as this could offer.
Everything about HK is to me is what an international city should be. While I do love living in BKK there are in fact some very clear contrasts between the 2 cities....
Work environment and ethic
- HK: strong and intense, NY-style
- BKK: mai pen rai, Thai for "whatever, never mind, who cares"
Energy level
- HK: high and contagious
- BKK: again mai pen rai
Activities
- HK: wide and varied from high-end shopping to rich cultural pursuits, posh / lux restaurants and a vibrant nightlife with lots of live music
- BKK: shopping in the markets or malls , going to movies, eating street food or fine dining, but a marked lack of anything cultural (e.g. music, performing arts) ...if it doesn't involve food or shopping most Thai's simply aren't interested
History
- HK: a wide awareness and knowledge about the British colonial period balanced with a very Chinese culture, everyone from taxi drivers to the average sales clerk can tell you something new and different about HK
- BKK: no interest in history whatsoever, if it is new and trendy then it captures attention - in fact there are really no antiques or historic old buildings in Thailand (outside of temples), because old = bad, run down, dirty AND new = desirable, attractive
Expat community
Well, one must view a country based on its local people, but I did notice a distinct difference in the expats between these 2 great cities.
- HK: highly educated professionals with an international mindset
- BKK: some professionals like myself, but largely sex-pats who come to "party" in a unique way that only Thailand can offer...did I ever mention the bar Baccarat which features a clear glass second floor on which girls with no underwear dance to entertain the patrons below on the first floor? (oh yes, I cannot make this stuff up).
(in Lan Kwai Fong - the nightclub district in HK)So, should Unilever ever open a HK office - I'm there. Until then, I will get to HK as often as possible. And you should too....
