When i was in HK

[Goh Meng Seng]

Ok, thanks.

About Hong Kong.

I have some very bad experiences, with the many visit there in the 80/90s. The image may improve reading some of the posts here.

But I like to question why on earth do you want to make HK your home, unless you have relatives there? Besides the weather which is nice comparing to Singapore, everything else is pretty much the same, save the political culture.

And also the uncertainty when China takes over, and why not go to one of the Chinese province like one had suggested, if you are not concern about China rule.

The uncertainty of China take over has diminished. Going to any Chinese province will have higher risks because the main difference between HK and Chinese province is the rule of law. Chinese provinces are pretty much ruled by CCP's discretion, not by law. You will always on the losing end if you get into legal troubles there. Besides, the Chinese, many of them who lived through the cultural revolutions, have lost any sense of human decency and moral bearings. This is why unscrupulous people could just add poisons into food, milk powder just for the sake of making more money. They are ruthless people who will just kill for anything. Even in hospitals, doctors will just "steal" your organs for sale if you are so unlucky to fall into the wrong hands at the wrong time. In terms of safety, HK is very much better than any Chinese province.

I won't choose to live in any Chinese province. There isn't any assurance of safety as well as rule of law there.

HK is NOT the same as Singapore in many ways. Even in terms of geographical diversity, Hong Kong has much richer diversity than Singapore. I have a friend who will visit Hong Kong every year just to go hiking along the mountainous natural parks. There is somewhat a balance of city living and natural greenery around.

Although both Singapore and Hong Kong are pretty much run on capitalist system in terms of financial and economic systems, but Hong Kong's social programs are much geared towards serving the people here. A balance of socialist schemes amidst a capitalist layout. Singapore, to me, is working towards a totally ultra-capitalist system.

Goh Meng Seng

 

[Glaringly]

I won't choose to live in any Chinese province. There isn't any assurance of safety as well as rule of law there.

Ok, not pretty much of an advice from me to go China, just noted one suggestion from this thread, and having not set foot on China once.

Although both Singapore and Hong Kong are pretty much run on capitalist system in terms of financial and economic systems, but Hong Kong's social programs are much geared towards serving the people here. A balance of socialist schemes amidst a capitalist layout. Singapore, to me, is working towards a totally ultra-capitalist system.

This can change, if we get rid of the MIW, no matter how hard it may be.

I was thinking, in general, there really isn't much different between 2 city states (at least HK for now). If people are seriously considering migrating ( a big decision ), they should have to look further afield, unless they are reluctant to embrace a totally new culture altogether and therefore HK may sounds more logical.

 

[bodycells]

hi there

1. you seems to have some impression on hk.
2. yes, many of your observations are pretty sharp and accurate.
3. however, did you have a chance to look at hk apartment?
4. you could be in for a shock as compared to those in sheepishland.
5. yes, of course, hk is 200% more vibrant than here.
6. you must not only speak canto but you need to be witty and swift, to
survive in hk.

my hk fren just got an apartment for S$1 million ++
i am pretty sharp to know who are the functioning well here and who are the malfunctioned ones too.

 

[jw5]

===

been to taiwan (taipei)? my opinion is that taipei better than HK > singapore

I prefer Taiwan to HK as well.
In my opinion,
Better food and more reasonably priced.
Better tv programs.
Shops are open through the night. Contrary to what some people have said here, HK shops are not open through the night, more like SG than Taiwan actually.
More interesting political climate, albeit silly and meaningless sometimes.
More interesting places to go.
Generally, the people are warmer.

 

[Goh Meng Seng]

There are many things to consider when one is looking at an alternative place to settle down. Shops opening through the night is least of my concerns.

Safety is of paramount considerations. Taiwan is subjected to Earthquakes which is not within our human's control.

Beside that, education opportunity for our children is another important consideration. Comparatively, HK has a more balanced language policy. You could learn both Chinese and English well in HK. Putonghua is catching up in trend. While Taiwan's Chinese education is pretty good but it is a bit challenging to learn good English there.

HK also has more interesting political climate. As for TV programs, yes, local TV series may lack depth in comparison with Taiwan but the joint effort with the PRC stations are producing results.

Goh Meng Seng

I prefer Taiwan to HK as well.
In my opinion,
Better food and more reasonably priced.
Better tv programs.
Shops are open through the night. Contrary to what some people have said here, HK shops are not open through the night, more like SG than Taiwan actually.
More interesting political climate, albeit silly and meaningless sometimes.
More interesting places to go.
Generally, the people are warmer.

 

[bodycells]

You speak good English too, very much all English country can be your family too.

You might want to think long and hard, not just language.

i consider cantonese as my native and family language, a language of personal life, not English. English is for working. That is why i feel so much when i am in hk.

 

[bodycells]

There are many things to consider when one is looking at an alternative place to settle down. Shops opening through the night is least of my concerns.

Safety is of paramount considerations. Taiwan is subjected to Earthquakes which is not within our human's control.

Beside that, education opportunity for our children is another important consideration. Comparatively, HK has a more balanced language policy. You could learn both Chinese and English well in HK. Putonghua is catching up in trend. While Taiwan's Chinese education is pretty good but it is a bit challenging to learn good English there.

HK also has more interesting political climate. As for TV programs, yes, local TV series may lack depth in comparison with Taiwan but the joint effort with the PRC stations are producing results.

Goh Meng Seng

Yes, Mr Goh

i agree with what you say. everyone's need is different and it is just that HK fits nicely for me. i like the feel free climate in HK, that is one of the very attractive options. the other is the language and family feeling that it gives me.

 

[Goh Meng Seng]

there are plenty of things in life man do not have control....but isn't it nice to hold on to some supreme being when such situation occurs so that you can stay peace and calm? or you prefer your're on your own boy kinda of feeling?

TeeKee, pardon me for saying this, for any man with any religion, they have the same chance of suffering from earthquakes if they stay at the place. Unless, you are saying that those people who believe in certain religion will not die?

Goh Meng Seng

 

[Watchman]

there are plenty of things in life man do not have control....but isn't it nice to hold on to some supreme being when such situation occurs so that you can stay peace and calm? or you prefer your're on your own boy kinda of feeling?

Something you let go is something gained .

 

[Glaringly]

i am not saying christians will not die, but if you know where you are going after you die, at least you won't be so afraid...

but i tell you one thing, and it's the truth, Jesus will help you to fulfilled what God has created you for...

Everyone that has floated in this forum long enough, knows you are CheapJustice. And Justice will be served to you no less when earthquake strike.

 

[Ramseth]

i am not saying christians will not die, but if you know where you are going after you die, at least you won't be so afraid...

but i tell you one thing, and it's the truth, Jesus will help you to fulfill what God has created you for...

Christians don't die. Christians have everlasting life. Don't you read the Bible anymore? Christians are simply called home to be with God. The difference is physical existence on earth. That's why a sin against God to commit suicide, for physical existence on earth is all duty and suffering, same teaching as in Buddhism. The difference is Buddhism inherited the Hinduism the 360 degrees wheel of karmic reincarnation, whereas Christianity inherited the Judaism 180 degrees straight line from starting point to infinity point.

 

[Samthaikong]

My observation :

HongKong air pollution is getting worst. Otherwise I do not mind staying there despite of their smaller houses.

Hong Kong education is better than Singapore. The students are taught to respect the elder and kid. They address kid as "little friend" and unreservely give up seat for the senior in the MRT. In Singapore, even with stickers everywhere to remind everyone to give up their seat for those who need it. They just pretend to sleep.

HongKonger are healthier that Singapore. All thanks to Cantonese believe in boiled soup every meal. They walk alot . I don't see many obese hongkonger there than in Singapore.

 

[bodycells]

My observation :

Hong Kong education is better than Singapore. The students are taught to respect the elder and kid. They address kid as "little friend" and unreservely give up seat for the senior in the MRT. In Singapore, even with stickers everywhere to remind everyone to give up their seat for those who need it. They just pretend to sleep.

Yup, Xiu Peng yao, ha ha.

 

[Tom Cat]

My observation :

HongKong air pollution is getting worst. Otherwise I do not mind staying there despite of their smaller houses.

Hong Kong education is better than Singapore. The students are taught to respect the elder and kid. They address kid as "little friend" and unreservely give up seat for the senior in the MRT. In Singapore, even with stickers everywhere to remind everyone to give up their seat for those who need it. They just pretend to sleep.

HongKonger are healthier that Singapore. All thanks to Cantonese believe in boiled soup every meal. They walk alot . I don't see many obese hongkonger there than in Singapore.

Hong Kong is ironically what Singapore should have become.

The Hong Kongers can speak good English, understand Mandarin and is fluent in Cantonese. They have managed to keep their culture and lingo intact for many years despite under British rule.

Singapore is screwed cause you have too many Caucasian cock-suckers who can't wait to shed their yellow skin and start swaggering while speaking with a Caucasian accent.

 

[red amoeba]

Hong Kong is ironically what Singapore should have become.

The Hong Kongers can speak good English, understand Mandarin and is fluent in Cantonese. They have managed to keep their culture and lingo intact for many years despite under British rule.

Singapore is screwed cause you have too many Caucasian cock-suckers who can't wait to shed their yellow skin and start swaggering while speaking with a Caucasian accent.

====

thats bcos HK don't have campaigns like speak mandrain and there is no obvious effort by the government to block the speaking of dialect. Cantonese remain the daily language and the defacto lingo (besides English).

But announcements in MRT will be in Chinese, Cantonese and English.

Singapore has a major difference here - our society is not homogenous - hence there is an added consideration to spare a thought for Malay and Indians - however, what we could have done is that, still make English the offical lingo but leave the dialect part alone.

The dearth of Cantonese / dialect programs on TV is an obvious sign.

Actually until recently, HK people are shunning Chinese- there are still Hong Kongers who don't speak good Chinese. To them Chinese is like 3rd language, English second and Cantonese mother tongue.

 

[manokie]

The main problem with Singapore is:

The rich and powerful are only bothered with Money & Power.

They don't give a shit about educating the Middle-Class/Lower-Class for fear of losing their privileged positions to them. Very few these people are willing to share their fruits or any kind of knowledge that will make others better. Of course, they leave the jobs to Universities and Polys. Knowledge creation in the society is very very poor. That's why we cannot have strong homegrown companies and only closed sectors (telecomm, housing) can yield good results. They also want to keep it this way for them to retain power.

Also they don't give a shit about Singapore's culture and pride. That's why they pay $$$ to import players to play for Singapore. Also, look at Channel 8/5's shows, it's a huge insult for that kind of quality to represent Singapore.

 

[red amoeba]

I would rank Taipei above Hong Kong in terms of place to stay.

Earthquake affects Taiwan - mostly on the East and South. Taipei (North) not so much. But what affects Taipei often is flood and drought because their drainage system is still backward due to political and corruption reasons.

Of course, this is much to do with the politicians - average person like me cannot do much.

Food is much cheaper vis-a-vis Singapore & Hong Kong and the larger variety available.

Service is much much better - i rank it above Hong Kong. Somehow the service staff have more pride and surprisingly most of them are youngsters.

In terms of environmental awareness, Taipei or Taiwan itself is years ahead of us. Plastic bags are rarely seen and packaging are in paper bags and nicely designed some more - they will even ask you if you could do without one. Not like here, they dish out to you without a word.

Culture wise, definitely much richer and much more creative. I enjoyed tremendously their bookshops - so much books of different genres.

The bad side though, is that English is less spoken than in Hong Kong but for me, that is not a problem. Their MRT is efficient and Taipei-ers are more civic conscious, they would not sit on the seats meant for elderly even if the train is crowded - there are no incidences of people pretending to fall asleep in front of pregnant ladies.

 

[manokie]

I would rank Taipei above Hong Kong in terms of place to stay.

Earthquake affects Taiwan - mostly on the East and South. Taipei (North) not so much. But what affects Taipei often is flood and drought because their drainage system is still backward due to political and corruption reasons.

Of course, this is much to do with the politicians - average person like me cannot do much.

Food is much cheaper vis-a-vis Singapore & Hong Kong and the larger variety available.

Service is much much better - i rank it above Hong Kong. Somehow the service staff have more pride and surprisingly most of them are youngsters.

In terms of environmental awareness, Taipei or Taiwan itself is years ahead of us. Plastic bags are rarely seen and packaging are in paper bags and nicely designed some more - they will even ask you if you could do without one. Not like here, they dish out to you without a word.

Culture wise, definitely much richer and much more creative. I enjoyed tremendously their bookshops - so much books of different genres.

The bad side though, is that English is less spoken than in Hong Kong but for me, that is not a problem. Their MRT is efficient and Taipei-ers are more civic conscious, they would not sit on the seats meant for elderly even if the train is crowded - there are no incidences of people pretending to fall asleep in front of pregnant ladies.

Taiwanese are the most CHINESE group of people in the world.. I won't elaborate about that but they have very traditional K12 education

 

[bodycells]

and yes, i would like to add that if you buy stuffs from shops such as 7 eleven, they will not provide plastic bags, you are expected to bring your own bag and if you need a bag, you got to pay 5 cents or something like that.

I wonder if that is environmentally motivated or cutting expense motivated.