Do’s of a tourist in Hong Kong

May 30, 2015 | By Top Hotels 4U

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“To be forewarned is to be forearmed” is an old saying that pretty much needs to be practice by someone who is on tour. Learning the local customs and laws, abiding to it would lead to a troublesome stay at Hong Kong.

Enumerated below is a compiled list of what one needs to do when being a tourist at the shopping capital of Asia:

While Packing what to bring in Hong Kong:

  • Do bring a reasonable quantity of items for personal use, such as 60 cigarettes or 1 L of alcoholic liquor.
  • Do bring medical note when importing antibiotic drugs.
  • Do speak in standard English and avoid slang.
  • Do seek medical advice before traveling to Hong Kong

While eating:

  • Do leave some food in the plate and wipe hands using the provided towel.
  • Do avoid sticking chopsticks straight up in bowl of rice for it resembles a funeral practice.
  • Do avoid pointing someone with chopsticks.

While interacting:

  • Do address someone with his/her surname. Hong Kong names usually have the surname first. Thus the name Wong Man should be greeted as Mr. Wong.
  • Do handshake someone when greeting him/her.
  • Do give and receive gifts using two arms.
  • Do receive a gift minutes after being told it’s for you.
  • Do avoid buying clocks as gifts for Chinese friends since symbolizes sending someone to the grave in Chinese traditions.

While travelling:

  • Do purchase Octopus Card, to be used when paying bus or tram fares.
  • Do follow color codes of taxis. Red for Hong Kong Island destinations, Green for New Territories and Blue for Lantau Island.
  • Do dress conservatively.
  • Do bargain when buying something by pointing out the item’s flaws.
  • Do carry just a photocopy of passport while leaving the original at the hotel.
  • Do shop around first before purchasing an item when shopping at Nathan Rd or Tsim Tsa Tsui of Kowloon.
  • Do think about if worn attire fit in Hong Kong’s local customs.
  • Do wear a wedding ring, even if not married, to help avoid harassment.
  • Do ignore unwelcome attention, propositions or remarks.
  • Do shout or make a fuss when in danger.
  • Do remember to lock the hotel room door even when inside the room.
  • Do caution to “new friends”, even if they are fellow holiday makers.
  • Do tell someone where you are going and when expected to return.
  • Do stay on the right side when riding escalators to avoid being bumped by people who are in a hurry.
  • Do buy distilled or mineral water for drinking water rather than drinking from the faucet.
  • Do secure belongings like backpacks so as not be a victim of pickpocketing.

It would not hurt following these tips. Some actions may be accomplished by exerting extra effort but considering the assurance of a pleasant trip is worth doing. Enjoy your stay at Hong Kong!!