Top 5 Hong Kong Discoveries

Surprisingly enough, since the day I've gotten to Hong Kong never have I had the feeling of being home sick (at least not yet). Hong Kong is similar to Hawaii's Chinatown back in the 1990s when the Chinese community was more prevalent than the Vietnamese. Cantonese is heard everywhere, crowds of people are pushing through to get to where they need to go, whole chickens, ducks, and pigs are hung at the front of butcher shops, and of course broken english is the meeting grounds for all locals and visitors. 

HOWEVER! Being raised in Hawai'i my entire life there are still some things I need to adapt to.

1. If you got it, use it!

If you are able to speak Chinese, Cantonese or Mandarin, use it! I'm sure anyone who has traveled to a different country where english is not the official language has experienced this before. When locals are able to communicate with you in their language they will feel much more at ease and in return offer a better service to you. Vice versa if the person you're trying to talk to speaks very little english, you'll probably end up in a staring contest you will most likely lose at.

Whenever people look at me they do not expect me know how to speak cantonese or mandarin so they'd usually begin with english causing me to respond in english. Doing so has lead to more confusion, misunderstandings, and awkward moments I've ever experienced in a span of three days. Learning from these lessons, now I'd usually greet people in Chinese, instead of "Hello" I'd say "你好啊” (nei hou a). During class when introducing myself I'd right off the bat speak in Chinese that way they won't feel the need to have to talk to me in just english. 

2. It's okay to be rude

Hawai'i embodies the chill-laxe style of living. Back home there is always a friendly atmosphere of people holding doors for you, smiles as you walk by, and random conversations with the aunties and uncles. Having been in Hong Kong for a good two weeks now, I've noticed this is absolutely not how society works at all. Hong Kong is said to be the New York of Asia; a tiny area packed with loads of skyscrapers and people. 
Since arriving, I've encountered many cases where I'd be right behind a person and they wouldn't even hold the door a couple seconds longer for me to catch it. Walking into some stores/restaurants I'd here disputes between deliverers and managers or customers and waiters that as a person from Hawaii, I've found a little rude to say out load for everyone to hear. 
But you know what, that's Hong Kong for ya! Live with it or get out. Speak up for what you want cause no one is going to do it for you. 

3. Weather is HUMID!

The first step out of the Hong Kong Airport I had felt a massive burst of hot air linger my way. It felt almost as if I was in a closed parking lot after a rainy day with everyone's exhaust pipe turned on. The weather was very muggy, hot, thick, and windless. This is due to Hong Kong's numerous amounts of skyscrapers which make it difficult for fresh air to come in and bad air to go out.
Because I was still adjusting to Hong Kong's air plus the fact that I am generally a big sweater, I would be sweating ALL THE TIME. The first couple of days I had to take a shower  two or three times per day because I was drenched in sweat. The weather plus the lack of sleep I was getting from my flight had caused me to feel lightheaded and dizzy for the first few days. However when my body had finally adjusted to it's environment I was okay again. The lack of moister in the air also caused my throat to be extremely dry so I would constantly have to drink water to hydrate myself.
Hong Kong's weather is definitely different from Hawaii's. After having been to Los Angeles, San Diego, Taiwan, and Hong Kong; I now understand why Hawai'i is marketed on it's weather (and beaches).

4. Things aren't as cheap as you'd think

People look at Hong Kong and expect things to be very cheap like how it is in Vietnam, Thailand, and Taiwan. However, things really aren't as cheap as you think. A typical meal at the on campus cafeteria will run anywhere around $20-35 HKD which is alright cause you can get a full meal + a drink for less than $5 USD. This is definitely better than the Campus Center Cafe, Paradise Palms, and Bale where a meal and a drink will be about $6-$10 USD. When you're out and about exploring the city you'd find that a decent meal at a restaurant will be about $40-$100 HKD, drink not included. This translates to about $5-$13 USD per meal.
From the US standpoint these prices are pretty close to what a meal would cost in Hawai'i. But that's the point; you're not in Hawai'i but instead Hong Kong, a place I thought I'd be able to find a good meal plus a drink anywhere for about $4 USD. When money is a little tight, especially for most exchange students where there is no source of reoccurring income, eating out and eating good every night isn't such a great idea. Drinking/Partying frequently is of course out of the question. 
Below are some items and prices you'd find at Taste, a popular supermarket chain in Hong Kong. It's definitely not the cheapest supermarket but it is the one closest to the school. 

5.  Affectionate Asians EVERYWHERE!

Through my own eyes, I've grown up with the mind set that Asians, compared to Caucasians and Europeans, are more subtle with PDA (Public Display of Affection). BUT NO! People here are very affectionate as well and they're not afraid to show it. Is it only me that thinks it's weird??