Preparatory Guide for Non-local Students 2013/14 - Cedars - The ...

Planning Your Stay
Cultural Adjustment
and Life in HKSAR
Hong Kong Culture
Language
Hong Kong is a cosmopolitan society. Chinese is the major ethnic
group. Locals speak the dialect of Cantonese. Most people speak
Cantonese and know English, though fluency of the latter is another
issue. Putonghua is commonly heard and spoken nowadays. Some
locals may have difficulties in understanding you, particularly if
you have strong regional accents. You may also find that you have
difficulties in understanding them at first. Just be patient. Try to
speak slowly and deliberately. Avoid colloquialisms and jargons if
you can. When communication becomes really difficult, remember
the magic word “smile”. It works across all cultures.
Social Customs and Behaviour
• It is common to call your peer’s first name. It is always safe to
address the elders and seniors in the social circles with their
titles such as Mr. Chan, Dr. Wong, Professor Lee etc.
• It is advisable to give your Chinese friends plenty of personal
space, particularly if you do not know them well. If you are
interacting with the locals, avoid the common western gestures
like back slapping, and nudging as some Chinese may find them
uncomfortable.
• Do not push ahead of others who are waiting in a queue.
• It is not polite to ask a newly acquainted person about his or her
income or marital status.
• Squatting on the street and spitting or speaking loudly in public
area is regarded as “uncivil” acts. Putting your feet on a chair or
on a train seat is deemed as “very bad manner”.
• Modesty is highly valued by the Chinese. Display of intense
affection, temper or anything “extreme” will very often be frowned
upon.
28