Hong Kong is one of the largest shopping capitals in the world, acting as a hub for tourists and business owners alike. Here’s some insight into the culture in hopes of making the navigation of this busy city’s social scene a bit easier.
Introduction
Hong Kong is a part of China that was being governed with a high degree of autonomy. It has been a special administrative region since 1997 and is now one of the largest business capitals in the world. Lifestyles here are urban-centric and cosmopolitan. Although there is high importance given to Chinese tradition, the majority of people here are westernized.
Greetings
The handshake is considered the normal form of greeting, accompanied by a nod and direct eye contact. Upon introduction, people are usually addressed by title and surname and may move to first name, based on the level of acquaintance. Hong Kongers prefer a light handshake and you may even notice sometimes that they lower their eyes when greeting someone.
Meetings
You are encouraged to be as punctual as possible, and if you are late you’re expected to apologise for your tardiness to your hosts. In Hong Kong, people enter a meeting according to the order of each individual’s importance with the highest-ranking person arriving first. Hong Kongers usually use designated meeting spaces and meeting hotels in Hong Kong for purposes of business gatherings. Dorsett Wan Chai Hong Kong is a famous meeting hotel.
Considerations
In Asia, workplaces are clearly hierarchical based on age and status, and everyone has a specific place and job within their organization. Decisions are taken from the top-down, although they are usually made swiftly. Hong Kong’s decision-making is governed by pragmatism, which makes them adaptable and flexible negotiators. Expect them to use laws that are appropriate for the real world rather than the imagined.
