Why does the people in Hongkong look and talk angry all the time?
By everafter
@everafter (378)
Philippines
May 28, 2008 1:23pm CST
Hi! Its my first time here in HK ( I am using the hotels WIFI) - and my first day was all shopping. We didnt pursue tours but we had free and easy do it yourself tours. :D We went to the Citygate this morning and bought and shopped.
I have few questions:
1. Why do they talk as if they are mad or angry? I was going out of the shop when the salesperson said Bye! but I thought a second time whether what he had said because we had said it in a high intonation.
2. And in Mongkok, I happen to buy a shirt there that costs $65 HKD after knowing it only cost $30. :( I got sad about it. Do i really need to haggle?
3. Where are the most cheap shop of perfumes here in Hongkong? LOL!
1 person likes this
5 responses
@alexwander (170)
• Canada
29 May 08
1) In big, fast-paced urban people tend to live in under high pressure.
2) Sorry to hear that. In chain stores all prices are usually fixed. Small local store customers can bargain (especially in Lady Markets, etc). I am not in in bargaining. Try to use a leave and don't tactic to see if they offer a lower price. If you feel that you are being ripped off, you can complain to the tourist board.
3) I never shop perfume :) in HK. The two chains are Watson's and Mannings. Will ask my friends there if they recommend anything.
@everafter (378)
• Philippines
29 May 08
alexwander, thanks.
1. my mom said too.
2. my sister told me to do that... to leave and they will offer you their best price. one bag costs $1,000. and my sister left. the seller offered it to her for $150. Haha! funny.
3. why not shop perfumes? is it true that it is fake?
@alexwander (170)
• Canada
29 May 08
To the best of my knowledge, Sa Sa is a big chain having shares trading in the HK stock market. They shouldn't do stupid things like selling fake good as some small vendors do. Selling fake goods they will be persecuted by the government.
The price of the perfume is cheap in HK because it's a (duty tax) free port. For example, mainland China charges 50% duty tax for imported foreign cosmetic products. So mainlanders come to HK for cosmetics and perfumes shopping.
@alexwander (170)
• Canada
30 May 08
One of my friend in HK says Sa Sa has the best prices. However, they may not have the latest version and may not have tester. My friend says you may go to Sun Plaza (Galleria??) at 28 Canton Road's Duty Free Shop to test the tester and buy at Sa SA. There is a Sa Sa at 86-98 Canton Road.
(Hope you still have time for sight-seeing :)
@bontheka (65)
• Hong Kong
30 May 08
I don't think Sasa sell fakes but I think the reason their prices might be cheaper is either because the stuff they sell have either gone past the expiry dates or is close to the expiry dates. That's just my opinion. I bought a lipstick from Sasa once and it smelt like it had gone off.
@everafter (378)
• Philippines
31 May 08
bontheka, hahaha! Probably. i didnt get to buy anything from Sasa. I ill check it out once I visit HK again probably and hoping this year agan.
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
29 May 08
Hmm I have never been to Hong Kong but I know a few people who have and they have never saif anything to this affect, I would be no good there if one id expected to haggle, that is just something I can't do, I hope things improve for you...
@bontheka (65)
• Hong Kong
29 May 08
Hi, I am a Malaysian currently residing in Hong Kong. I think it's just the way the Cantonese people talk. They are very loud and usually do sound like they're mad or angry, even if they're not. Having said that, they also do get angry easily, especially the traders in the markets if you spend a bit too much time looking at their stuff and not buying it. I remember being chased away by one trader after spending about 10 minutes trying to choose a pair of socks. You do get an automatic 'Hello, welcome' and a 'goobye', from the sales assistants of some of the chain retail shops like Giordano, Bossini, U2, etc. I think they're just trained to say that.
If you're at the markets, you can haggle and if they can afford to lower their price, they will. You can always try walking away to see how much they'll offer something to you as a 'last price'. As for perfumes, try finding a Sasa or Angel cosmetics shop. They have plenty of branches around. The prices of perfumes and cosmetics are generally cheaper there.
Hope you'll manage to get some sightseeing done as well although the weather is horrible at the moment.
@everafter (378)
• Philippines
29 May 08
Bonethka,
Yes, its so true. I was afraid talking to them actually. LOL! And I shopped in Bossini today and Im not used in sales people saying ' goodbye' i always turn around and asked what they said... They will say "kood - bahy"
LOL!
IS is true my sister told me perfumes in sasa is fake?
@vbleble (122)
• Hong Kong
25 Aug 08
Hi to you all,,,
I am new to here
Back to the topic, about your first question, I don't think that salesperson is really mad or angry, maybe the problem is because of the intonation of the Chinese people as you mention. For your second question, I wont deny that the goods in HK is much expensive than those in Bangkok and many other areas around the world because of the high inflation rate I think... Besides I live in HK, if anyone who is going to visit HK and want some more info you may also ask me=] Sorry for my poor eng....
