Hong Kong Rich
On Thursday Myles and I had an appointment with our new Hong Kong-based family doctor. When I mentioned to some Chinese friends the night before that we had this appointment, they kept asking me what was wrong. I told them nothing; it was just something weird Americans do. We go to the doctor when we are healthy.
Anyway, in the South China Morning Post, which I got to read in print at Starbucks in Kowloon that morning, was an article with the fantastic title "There's rich, and there's Hong Kong rich." You may have read something similar last week on a similar theme, that Asian millionaires (as measured in U.S. dollars) are multiplying like crazy, and cities like Hong Kong spawning or attracting (I'm not sure which) super millionaires (people worth more than U.S. $3o million) at an even more ridiculous rate.
Perhaps the super-rich have a different vocabulary, too. Usually when I snap a picture like this one in China, it is because the English is messed-up. However, there's no mistake with the English on this advertisement. You and I might just use the word "apartment" for those homes that occupy the floors between the building lobby and the penthouse, however, the "Hong Kong rich" might prefer to think of it in different terms.
Despite the growth of the super-rich in Hong Kong, it still has to struggle with aspects of Chinese culture. I saw this sign outside a playground in Kowloon and I had to laugh (as I have, too, in Shenzhen) what sorts of behaviors forbidden. Of course, like anywhere, no dogs, no motor vehicles, and no ball-playing, but also no hawking, no hanging of laundry, and absolutely no urinating.
Anyway, in the South China Morning Post, which I got to read in print at Starbucks in Kowloon that morning, was an article with the fantastic title "There's rich, and there's Hong Kong rich." You may have read something similar last week on a similar theme, that Asian millionaires (as measured in U.S. dollars) are multiplying like crazy, and cities like Hong Kong spawning or attracting (I'm not sure which) super millionaires (people worth more than U.S. $3o million) at an even more ridiculous rate.
Perhaps the super-rich have a different vocabulary, too. Usually when I snap a picture like this one in China, it is because the English is messed-up. However, there's no mistake with the English on this advertisement. You and I might just use the word "apartment" for those homes that occupy the floors between the building lobby and the penthouse, however, the "Hong Kong rich" might prefer to think of it in different terms.
Despite the growth of the super-rich in Hong Kong, it still has to struggle with aspects of Chinese culture. I saw this sign outside a playground in Kowloon and I had to laugh (as I have, too, in Shenzhen) what sorts of behaviors forbidden. Of course, like anywhere, no dogs, no motor vehicles, and no ball-playing, but also no hawking, no hanging of laundry, and absolutely no urinating.
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