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Expat communities
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| posted by Gum Tree 1142 days ago |
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It has been interesting as a newbie here over the last 7 months or so. One really interesting thing - maybe this is a women's thing - is the different 'takes' on the different expat personalities. Seems like, no matter who I talk to, they talk about various enclaves of citizens from certain countries - mainly the Brits and US, but also Oz and Indian. Some type of power struggle is apparent among those who have nothing better to do - my husband earns more than yours, my address is better, I am thinner, I have a better accent, I belong to the right club, I have had more plastic surgery than you, more holidays to exotic places, I go to the best spa/hairdresser/manicurist etc etc.
A good friend, born in HK to Chinese/Brit parents has recently returned. She is apalled at the materialistic attitude of the HK society - both local and expat - compared to her memories. She says it is the nouveau riche attitude - people who gained wealth too quickly and who can't deal with it in any other way but by being ostentatious.
I have noticed that many women are obviously wearing very expensive clothes/bags/jewellry, but there is a definite lack of individual style - compared, say to the average woman from Rome. It seems the clothes etc are worn to make a statement about wealth, rather than displaying the style and character of the wearer.
Am I just a jealous bi*ch? Is my friend wrongly assessing the reality of the situation? Or has anyone else noticed this?
"Marooned on a rock with 80,000 and now 90,000 alcoholics and counting"
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| Regular Member |
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| 3506 Posts |
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| Canada |
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| posted by sunwaterandsky 1142 days ago |
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I think that you are right on the mark Gumtree. I think that some people were wearing trainers only 2-3 years ago, came here and now have money. They haven't had the money and opportunity to develop that personal style at home, so they just fall into what everyone else is doing. Then people have to find ways to exclude others from their clique - not wearing the right shoes.... I think that it is more a reflection of the expat/new wealth boredom and desire to belong to something - no matter how inane and derivative it is.
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| Junior Member |
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| 577 Posts |
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| posted by npg 1142 days ago |
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hey GT, that would suck being around people like that! they sound like (kept)women with low self-esteem.
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| Regular Member |
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| 6594 Posts |
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| United Kingdom |
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| posted by Gum Tree 1142 days ago |
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Nah npg - just go with the flow. Threw me out at first, until I realised what was happening. Now, I just either avoid or go with it, depending on my mood.
"Marooned on a rock with 80,000 and now 90,000 alcoholics and counting"
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| Junior Member |
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| 587 Posts |
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| Hong Kong |
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| posted by Azrael 1142 days ago |
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Reminds me of H.C.Andersen's "The Emperors New Clothes".
I agree with you Gumtree...except perhaps it DOES display the style and character of the wearer. ie. they don't have any!
Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats. 
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| Senior Member |
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| 11580 Posts |
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| Hong Kong |
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| posted by tinybear 1142 days ago |
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I find the American expat community here more or less same as the folks back home, except many have learnt to speak Mandarin better than me.
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| Regular Member |
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| posted by Gum Tree 1142 days ago |
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wow tb. That is a big statement. Coz I always understood the US to be pretty diverse in character. So you mean they are like the people from your own city or state? Or are there some communal character things that go across all states, all classes etc.
"Marooned on a rock with 80,000 and now 90,000 alcoholics and counting"
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| Senior Member |
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| 11580 Posts |
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| posted by tinybear 1142 days ago |
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Well, I live in LA (big city) and the expat community I meet at the American Club here in HK, coincidentally, also tends to consist of people from the larger cities in the US; e.g. NY, LA, Boston, Chicago...etc My impression is they're more or less the same as the folks back home.
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| Regular Member |
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| 6594 Posts |
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| United Kingdom |
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| posted by Gum Tree 1142 days ago |
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That makes more sense. Just can't imagine a okie from okie (sorry, but that is the stereotype) would represent the HK US people.
"Marooned on a rock with 80,000 and now 90,000 alcoholics and counting"
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| Senior Member |
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| 11580 Posts |
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| posted by tinybear 1142 days ago |
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There's this woman from Florida who always precedes her conversation by saying 'Awrighty' though. I guess it's a popular expression in the South.
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