I have a cousin who worked in Hong Kong. There, she experienced many culture and custom differences and often shares her interesting stories with us during family gatherings.
I would like to share a few of them with you.
1: Queuing up at the ATM
Singaporeans: Typically, Singaporeans would leave a reasonable gap in between each person and leave more space for the person using the ATM.
Hongkongers: They tend to stand close behind you and there should be no gaps.
-My cousin was being scolded by an uncle for not closing up the gap. Also she felt that there was no privacy when she's using the ATM.
I think you have to trust that they will not peep over and see what you are doing when using the ATM.
2: BBQ
Singaporeans: For barbecue sessions, we would usually place a wire net over the fire. Food also be placed on the wire net during cooking.
Hongkongers: They do not use wire net, they think that it is dirty to place food on the wire net.
-Her Hong Kong colleagues did not take the food that was prepared by her even though she had specially cooked for them as a way to express thanks before leaving for Singapore during a barbecue outing. She felt that they could not appreciate her gestures.
I think that this is not as difficult as point 1. You will just need to remember that they do not barbecue their food over the wire net as they think it is dirty.
3:'Ta Bao"
Singaporeans: "Ta bao" means take away. This is usually used when we want to buy take aways.
Hongkongers: To them it means death and then would refrain from saying.
-As my cousin learnt this before leaving Singapore she did not have any problems with this.:)
