So you are whizzing off halfway across the world and have managed to get yourself a date in Hong Kong. You go to a restaurant to romantically present your date with a green hat you found in a bazaar, only to the sheer horror of everyone in the place. Time to ask for the cheque, get your coat and leave, as it turns out a green hat in Hong Kong is symbolic for 'adultery'. Dating is hard enough, without adding the pressures of long-haul travel to a land with a completely different culture and, whilst holiday romances can be exciting, they are also a dangerous game. There are scores of blogs detailing the highs and lows of holiday romance, with some particularly amusing stories on the culture clash. Fortunately for us however, the internet provides all answers to both romance and to holidaying in Hong Kong.
The first thing to say about holiday romances in Hong Kong is- Don't. If you are looking for an exciting date with a new person, you don't really need to leave your living room let alone heading to Hong Kong. There are plenty of dating UK services online, so you can have the thrill of meeting someone new, the comfort of having spoken virtually, and the convenience of a romance based on home turf. Equally, with the online dating service growing in scope, many online dating services offer sound advice for relationships both off and online, with a rare few even offering an introductory service based on years of research on human compatibility. After all, flirting in Hong Kong could prove difficult with winks being considered rude, flirty touching out of bounds and a belch at dinner positively charming. Other problematic culture clashes include being unable to refuse a dinner invitation at the risk of being offensive, and the Hong Kong custom of asking very personal questions on a first meeting. Here is a handy table you can keep with you on your travels next time you are feeling lost in translation:
The Custom/Action |
Come back soon |
Be gone! |
Address people by their first names before family names |
X |
|
Enquire about a stranger's health |
X |
|
| Hug a stranger |
X |
|
| Stand close to a stranger |
X |
|
| Point with your hand open |
X |
|
| Start eating before your host |
X |
|
| Leave food on your plate |
X |
|
| Give presents in threes |
X |
|
| Give presents in fours |
X |
