������Ƶ

�ٴ�’s

• Hong Kongers tend to be very hospitable and willing to help a stranger in need, perhaps more so than is common in the English-speaking West. Be receptive to their friendliness and try to reciprocate it.
• Be humble if you receive a compliment or flattery from your Hong Konger counterpart. It is also good to reciprocate this, as it will help give you and your counterpart's face. However, it’s not uncommon for a Hong Konger to bashfully deny the compliment as a way to be humble.
• Be careful when speaking of China, as you may find some Hong Kongers to speak quite disparagingly of the mainland.
• Show proper respect to those older than you. Hong Kongers place emphasis on deferring to elders.
• Expect to be interrupted by Hong Kongers in conversation.
• Make an effort to keep the discussion harmonious and balanced.

Don'ts

• Avoid giving direct criticism towards a Hong Konger or their family, business or country. This can lead to a loss of face and may leave your Hong Konger counterpart feeling embarrassed.
• Similarly, avoid publicly displaying signs of anger as this will cause you to lose face in a Hong Konger's eyes.
• Do not presume a person's opinion regarding Hong Kong's relationship with China. If you are unclear about their views, it’s a good idea to avoid referring to Hong Kong as ‘China’.
• Don’t assume that Hong Kongers have the same behavioural customs as those in China. Despite perceived similarities, expectations and practices in behaviour and etiquette differ between the two cultures.
• Never correct a person’s self-identification as either “Hong Konger” or “Chinese.” How individuals identify is deeply personal and may be influenced by various factors. Challenging or correcting someone’s chosen identity can be seen as insensitive and disrespectful.
• Try to abstain from interrupting or ‘filling in the silence’ during conversation.
• It's advisable to avoid mentioning subjects that might be considered taboo or unlucky, such as failure, poverty, or death. See Other Considerations for more information on taboo numbers and colours.