Vote to Remain in the European Union

On the 23^rd June 2016, British citizens will be making possibly one of the most important political decisions in their lifetime.

A non reversible decision, which will have significant impact on the United Kingdom both in economic and political terms.

It is, of course, the European Union referendum. We will be deciding on whether to remain or leave the EU, which Britain has been a part of since 1975.

In this blog post, I seek to reach out to people of my generation. Young people who, like me, were not around or were too young to understand, when the European Community and European Union was formed.

Young people who are perhaps apathetic towards politics, or don’t understand the situation, or cannot see the benefits that the UK’s membership with the European Union brings.

There are many reasons why we should remain in the EU, and many ramifications if we do leave it.

I’m here to focus on one: the issue of immigration.

Why?

When we talk about the EU, immigration is one of the major concerns that people raise. It is the discussion points of many political parties, it is regularly on the front pages of nonsense tabloid newspapers.

If there is one issue that would swing a young voter, who doesn’t particularly keep up with politics, it is the issue of immigration.

The European Union allows for freedom of movement between member states. Citizens of other EU countries can move to other EU countries to live and work without a visa.

There are many lies, myths and exaggerations about immigration. Most of these come from the headlines of  tabloid newspapers, who seek to stir anger and resentment towards immigrants.

Absolute rubbish headlines like these from newspapers like The Sun, The Daily Express and The Daily Mail. Newspapers which I like to refer to as scum:

These newspapers do a number of things. They take extreme and rare examples, and make out as if every single immigrant were the same.

They distort the facts and use hyperbolic language to sensationalise their stories. Most of the headlines they print are either exaggerations or are simply are not true.

The worst thing is that these newspapers have a wide circulation in the United Kingdom, and will most likely swing a lot of people’s votes on the EU referendum.

Your average British person probably gets their news from these papers, and most likely has neither the time or the motivation to actually read up on the facts.

Worst of all, these newspapers try and play on people’s fear and uncertainty of the foreign. They are almost encouraging racism.

Immigration has brought a lot of benefits to the UK. In fact, the UK needs immigration. Here’s why:-

Back in the 1950s and 1960s, many developed western countries (including the UK) experience a huge baby boom.

The people born in these baby boom years are now at retirement age. They worked hard all their lives to build success, and deserve their retirement.

Unfortunately, once someone retires, two things happen:

1) They are no longer working and therefore are not contributing to economic growth, or paying income tax to fund government spending.

2) They claim state pension which has to be paid for by the government.

The United Kingdom has a large proportion of people in retirement age, and not enough people of working age to stimulate the economy or to pay for the pensions of the retired.

Young British people are also having less children, and delaying starting families until later in life, in order to focus on career.

The result of this is:

1)   The number of pensioners keeps increasing.

2)   The working population continues decreasing.

3)   The government has to keep spending more on pensions, and the economy slow downs.

Why are immigrants solving this problem? Because the vast majority of them move to the United Kingdom to work. This stimulates the economy, and the tax from their income also helps to pay for Britain’s retired pensioners.

Immigrants also tend to have larger families than British people. These children of immigrants grow up, enter the work force and again, help to stimulate the economy.

If you would like to see what happens in alternate reality, you just need to look at Japan.

Like the United Kingdom, they also have a very large retired population. Marriage rates amongst young Japanese are low, and birth rates are even lower.

The key difference is that Japan has very little immigration into the country to help grow the working population, stimulate the economy, and to pay for their retired population through taxes.

The result? Japan’s economy has been faltering for the past decade and shows no sign of recovery. The Japanese government is also trillions of US dollars in debt.

It’s what could have happened to the United Kingdom if we had gone down the same path.

If we left the EU, we could lose many of the economic benefits that immigrants bring.

It works two ways as well. Us Brits would not be able to travel to or work in continental Europe without a visa. There are a lot of Brits living in EU countries at the moment.

Currently 1 million Brits live in Spain (many of whom are retired). These Brits could find themselves in a very difficult situation if we left the EU.

Of course, the issue of immigration and freedom of movement in the EU is only one of a number discussions on the EU.

The EU has also given us a lot of benefits and I am going to pick out a few that I appreciate, and believe that other people of my generation would also appreciate.

Working Time Directive. 

This is essentially a set of laws which protects our rights and health safety at work. You can find the full details here.

After living and working in Hong Kong for over two years, where the labour laws are not as generous or thorough, I can tell you that the Working Time Directive is definitely something I wish Asia had.

Peace and stability in Europe. 

The whole point of the EU was to ensure that European countries never went to war with each other again, by encouraging every country to trade with each other. For the most part, this has been extremely successful.

The UK’s standing in the world. 

We have to face it. The UK punches above its weight in the world, partly because of the history of the British Empire and partly because of the EU.

We are a country with a strong economy that speaks a global language. We are seen by many other countries as the gateway to Europe. We leave the EU, and our importance on the world stage diminishes.

More reasons to remain? 

Find them all here.

Final Thoughts… 

I would like to sign off with this message to every young British person, particularly those who are on the fence with their decision.

Leaving the EU is not something we can try and if we don’t like it, can decide to reverse.

Once we have left, that’s it. And we have to accept whatever the consequences are.

This is probably the most important political decision you will ever make in your life time. It has more wide ranging effects than a general election.

If you think your vote won’t make a difference to the result, think again. The most recent polls show that it is neck and neck. A few hundred or thousands of votes could swing and decide this referendum.

If politics does not interest you, I fully understand. But please realise the importance of this event, and please motivate yourself this one time to take part.

You will not regret it.

On the 23^rd of June 2016, please vote to remain in the European Union.

Singapore vs Hong Kong – Rivalry in Asia

For people who have never been to either, Hong Kong and Singapore probably seem like very similar places. Both city states of roughly the same size in land mass and population. Both popular destinations for expats looking for adventure in Asia. Both heavily driven by the financial services industry.

However my recent trip to Singapore proved to me that there are far more differences than similarities, and that both places cater for very different types of people. In this article, I will go through the key criteria that I usually evaluate a place by.

Food

Both places are fantastic destinations for food lovers. However, to get a better understanding of how good, you need to split between local and international food.

Singapore’s local food wins resoundingly. Both in terms of satisfaction and how readily available it is. One of the city’s most defining aspects of its culture are the plentiful hawker centres in almost every area. These are complexes that house many food stalls, with tables and chairs for patrons. Think of it as a huge, open air food court.

And the food at these places is fantastic.  Singapore’s three largest communities (The Chinese, Indians and Malays) all contribute towards the city’s food culture, with incredibly delicious food which is, to an extent, localized and adapted.

Take the Chinese food for example. Over the course of history, many of the dishes have had local Singaporean ingredients and ideas added to produce an end product which is, in my opinion, better than the original piece.

Of course, Hong Kong does have some fantastic local food. And it does have some hawker centres. But unfortunately, increasing regulation and red tape have slowly begun to kill off these places.

However, where Singapore wins in local food, it is edged out in international food. The slightly longer history of the expatriate community in Hong Kong, and the ease of setting up business, has meant Hong Kong has far more international food of a higher quality. You can find high quality food from almost all major western cultures in Hong Kong.

Culture and Historical Sights

This is one area where Singapore almost definitely loses. In fact, I would go as far as to say that lack of culture and historical sights is one of the defining aspects of Singapore.

Of course, there a few handful of temples and colonial buildings dotted around the city, reminding us that is a place that has had a history. But these are far and few between.

In fact, if your two major sights are a luxury hotel and nature park that was built only five years ago on reclaimed land from the sea, you know you’re clutching at straws.

Contrast this with Hong Kong, where former British government buildings built a hundred years ago are interspersed with Chinese temples, built even longer ago, across the city. Go further into the suburbs, villages and outlying islands and you will uncover records of Hakka communities that have been preserved in writing on the walls of old style village houses.

You very much get the sense that Hong Kong has one foot planted in the past, whilst the other foot is planted in the present. Whereas in Singapore, both feet are planted firmly in the future.

People and Society

We spoke to a few people in Singapore, mostly taxi drivers. What impressed me most was their pride in Singapore, and most notably, their pride in a multicultural society that accepts and respects people from many different cultures.

One taxi driver in particular, talked about how important it was in Singaporean society to respect other cultures.

Singapore is a vastly diverse city. 74% Chinese, 13% Malay, 9% Indian, and the rest made of various other ethnic groups, including a sizeable western community.

Racial harmony and equality is a key facet of Singaporean culture. “Racial Harmony” day is celebrated on 21^st July in Schools, and respect for other cultures and religions is heavily emphasized by the government.

Hong Kong’s population is not quite so diverse although it does have a fairly sizeable south east and south Asian community, as well as a western community.

However you do get the sense, that people from certain communities are not treated equally or even looked down upon by some people in Hong Kong, which is a little bit disappointing to see.

One thing I did notice with Singaporeans is that although they do show a lot of pride in their city, you do get the sense that this pride is completely unwavering.

It’s almost like an American style of patriotism: strong but does not take criticism well.

Contrast this with Hong Kong pride which is quiet, slightly more modest with heavy doses of self deprecation.

In fact, that is the one thing I enjoy most about Hong Kong people – their ability to see what is wrong with their city and themselves, and to be able to joke and laugh about it. A very British way of viewing life.

I have, on numerous occasions, heard Hong Kong people jokingly criticize the way their city is managed by the government, or made sarcastic comments on how their own people behave in public.

When you look at the history and present situation of both cities, you can see why the people have developed such behaviours.

Singapore’s independence from British colonial rule was hugely supported by their population, and the building of an independent state pulled their community together. To be a Singaporean, is to be proud of what the city has achieved since its independence.

Hong Kong, on the other hand, reluctantly parted ways with Great Britain after Margaret Thatcher conceded the city state to China in her negotiations.

For a lot of Hong Kong people, the political future is bleak due to the impending loss of self governance by 2047. The city has gone through disorder as well, such as the 1967 leftist riots and 2003 SARS outbreak, amongst numerous other events.

A resilience, an ability to self criticize and laugh at one’s own city was developed.

You get the sense that many Singaporeans are reluctant to speak up against their country and their government. Unsurprising, due to the strict laws and regulations on many areas of life.

Whereas Hong Kong people will take any opportunity to protest against sort of issue they feel is an injustice.

One final thing I will mention in this section is the pace of life.

Singaporeans are far more relaxed and their customer service pays more attention to friendliness and treating the customer well.

Conversely in Hong Kong, you quickly learn that you are judged on the speed at which you do things. I have lost count on the number of times I’ve been rushed by a waiter or shop worker to make a decision or pay for my items.

Often times I feel customer service people are reciting their lines from a script, rather than actually ensuring I get a good experience.

Weather

It’s hot in Singapore 365 days of the year. Almost unbearably hot sometimes. So much so that walking more than a few minutes outside will result in your shirt being drenched in sweat.

It's hot in Hong Kong from May to September. Then autumn hits and then winter follows, and it gets pretty chilly. Although nowhere near as cold as the UK.

Transport

There’s almost no difference here. Both have incredibly efficient transport networks that are cheap and reliable and put London’s system to shame.

Both have world class airports. Hong Kong’s is attractive, functional and efficient.

Singapore is all of the above but also highly innovative. Free massage chairs, free nap areas, free cinema rooms, swimming pool, fish pond, butterfly garden – to a name a few of the features. It is probably the most pleasant place to be stranded if your flight is delayed.

The Urban Areas

Singapore is a fairly pleasant city. It is roughly the same size as Hong Kong, but there is far more land to build on. This results in wider streets, bigger apartments and a general feeling of openness.

Additionally, the Singaporean government seems to do a relatively good job of city planning. They immediately tear down housing complexes that are showing signs of wear and tear, and swiftly build new ones in its place for its residents. Most of the time, these apartments are relatively aesthetically pleasing.

Hong Kong’s land is mostly taken up by mountains which are virtually impossibly to build on. Consequently, in order to make good use of the space, high rises are built. And these are some of the tallest high rises in the world.

Hong Kong’s skyline is stunning and iconic. Buildings like the Bank of China and the IFC define the skyline and feature in Hollywood movies.

But for every magnificent skyscraper, there are at least two ugly buildings. This is particularly the case in suburbian areas like Sha Tin, which was built in the 1970s by the British Colonial government, and based off the council estates in the United Kingdom.

Hong Kong’s streets are also tight and winding and almost unsuitable for motor traffic.

However Hong Kong’s limitation is also its charm as well. Many businesses are forced to lease premises on the upper floors of high rises, due to the lower cost of rent.

These businesses gain customers through advertising on the internet, from signs jutting out from their windows, and from word of mouth.

Urban exploration is a major part of living in Hong Kong. Often times you will wander into an old, crumbling block of apartments (most likely built in the 1960s) and go up in the rickety lift to discover a shop that sells exactly what you have been looking for.

Sometimes you even discover trendy looking restaurants, bar or nightclubs between the 10^th and 20^th floors of the most unlikely buildings.

Nature and the Outdoors

This is Hong Kong’s hidden secret. As mentioned earlier, only a small part of the land is urbanized, the vast majority of Hong Kong’s land is mountains and forest.

There are plentiful hiking trails and beaches, many hidden and requiring a bit of effort and sense of adventure to “discover” them.

Then there are the many outlying islands to be explored, some abandoned and uninhibited, but with remnants of a past community’s presence.

Singapore does not seem to have any of this. It’s relatively flat land surface enables their urban sprawl to spread over most of the area.

It main beaches, located on Sentosa island, are pleasant but you very much get the sense it was all designed and constructed, with the sand shipped in from elsewhere.

Cost of Living

In comparison to other Asian countries, both Singapore and Hong Kong are fairly expensive. Almost on par with western European countries.

The major savings are on food (that’s if you eat like a local) and travel. Rent is pretty expensive in Singapore (from what I’ve researched) and it’s extortionate in Hong Kong. You quickly get used to the fact that more than half your monthly salary will go to your landlord.

Conclusion

To conclude, Hong Kong and Singapore are two different places. Singapore is a safe, well planned, friendly, tolerant, progressive and strictly governed city which is somewhat sanitized. A great place to raise a family.

Hong Kong is wilder, fast paced, energetic city with many urban and natural discoveries to be made. It has a lot more character, and demands a lot more character from its residents. It is a great place to be young.

For me, Hong Kong wins it resoundingly. Its more free, more intense and it suits my personality and lifestyle far more. With all due respect to Singapore residents, your city does feel a tad bit sanitised and controlled.

What Keeps Me Coming Back to Facebook

I haven’t written a blog post for a while.  A fleeting idea comes every once in a while, but my tremendously busy life in Hong Kong prevents me from putting pen to paper. Or rather fingers to keyboard.

Instead my momentary ideas are usually succinctly published in a Facebook status. Often the subject is my opinion on an important news story of the week, usually political, sometimes sports related, and very often strong and candid in nature.

And then after a brief moment of slightly heated discussion in a group Whatsapp chat over the manner in which statuses are written on Facebook, the next worthwhile subject for my next blog suddenly came to me.

Are there social rules on Facebook we are supposed to adhere to?

You see, social media has transformed the way in which we communicate. It’s given everyone a platform and an audience. A few keyboard taps and a click, and your thoughts are now potentially viewable by all your friends and acquaintances.

More importantly, it’s enabled individuals who aren’t normally adept at speaking pubic speaking, the chance to be able to do so. Kind of.

However, as we have rapidly advanced in digital communication, so too has the disagreements in how we use it risen.

For instance, the regular uploads of dishes from restaurants by so called “Foodies” is probably quite intriguing to a lot people. But at the same time, it’s a slight annoyance to me a few others, and possibly a major irritation to a small handful.

At the same time, my big statement, supposedly profound Facebook statuses on current events probably annoys a few people. But equally, there are people out there who possibly enjoy reading what I write.

That’s the problem with Facebook. It’s easy for us to write about what we think is correct, or post about what we think is enjoyable, and easily forget about all the people who see it in their newsfeed.

We lose ourselves in this digital world that we see as our sounding board, our diary, our agony aunt. Suddenly the controlled person we were in real life, becomes this unleashed, opinionated or loud person online.

Yet this problem is also Facebook’s strength as well. We find out what people are really like. We learn about aspects of their character that we never knew of before.

There have been many times where I’ve met sometimes, but not really understood the person they were until I saw their Facebook updates.

It’s not the news stories or Facebook pages that keep me coming back. It’s the people.

Facebook blurs the lines between private and public for a lot of people. I see this very much as a good thing.

So, in going back to my earlier question – should there be social rules on Facebook we should adhere to? Well there shouldn’t be. Sure, there are people who do post too much and are too frank in the way they behave online - that's myself included.

But the minute we start to try and police what goes on in the Facebook newsfeed, is the minute the Facebook platform becomes just another newschannel.

So my advice to you if, if anybody does get up your nose a bit, you have this:

And secondly if you feel the need to tell someone to stop instead of using the above function…well Stephen Fry will explain this better:

Take Part in a Thai Orgy with Leicester City Players, if you Fancy Making the News

 

A slight shift on my offence-o-meter was recorded, when I read about the latest scandal involving professional footballers.

In case you haven’t been keeping up with the recent junk food news from the tabloids (and being the intelligent man that I am, I have) then you may have heard that three Leicester City players were involved in a sex orgy in Thailand – with smartphone video footage leaked to the press of course.

[Read about the story here and here] 

The Leicester City players were on an end of season tour to Thailand, to promote the team, which is owned by Thai billionaires.

Now I may be stating the obvious, but inviting over a load of footballers to Thailand, is a bit like inviting a pack of wolves to sheep’s birthday party.  It has bad news written all over it.

But the problem isn’t the shenanigans the footballers got up to. That’s almost to be expected. Just like diving  to the ground and rolling around like a cissy on the football pitch whenever you receive a hard tackle, it’s part and parcel of the modern game.

The problem of course is the racist language that was used. On one occasion the footballers referred to their Thai acquaintances as “slit eye”.

Now I may not be Thai, but every time I hear any vaguely racist language directed at any East Asian, a little part of me feels anger. It’s almost as if I feel they’re insulting a whole region of people.

Sadly though, it seems that despite their sacking from the club, these players will probably see it as simply a bit of banter with the lads that went too far.

And most likely this won’t cause as much outrage to the British public, then if a black person had been called the N word in the video.

But hey just a bit of bants with the lads on tour right?

Almost a Year in Hong Kong. Here’s Another Evaluation

You may recall my last blog post, which reviewed my move to Hong Kong after four months. Now, nearly a year on, I feel the time has come for the second part. An analysis of Hong Kong life and society post honeymoon period, which touches upon good and bad points.

Being an expat is both a blessing and a curse

Being an overseas born and raised Chinese lifts you above others in the eyes of some Hong Kong people.  You can speak English more fluently than them, you’re seen as more confident and outspoken, you have more knowledge on all things western that people find so glamorous over here. You are exotic, yet also familiar because of your Chinese heritage. Some people are extremely impressed. Some women might find you more attractive.

Locals see you in a restaurant speaking English to your over Chinese friends, and then try to impress you by speaking jittery English to their friend as well, in a volume just loud enough so you can over hear (I’ve already lost count on how many times this has happened).

But for all the benefits being an overseas born and raised Chinese brings, there are also drawbacks.

Other sections of Hong Kong society, particularly the older generation, measure you against their mental checklist of things that make you Chinese. Your Cantonese is judged; your knowledge of Chinese traditions and cuisines is tested; your family background is scrutinized, your fondness for drinking alcohol like white people is laughed at. Because you look Chinese, you will always be judged as one.

For some, I know this can be tiresome, particularly when the questioning and teasing becomes malicious. But for the most part, it is just playful banter from a culture that likes to “take the piss” just like we do in Britain.

Being white also puts you in a similar position. Some in Hong Kong still have the colonial mentality – a desire to become like the westerners that once ruled. Therefore white people can be placed on pedestals at times.

Others hate westerners. Subjecting them to racial abuse. But of course, not everyone is like that. The majority of Hong Kong citizens are respectful and tolerant. After all, this is one of the most popular destinations for expats.

Western Countries are all Lumped Together by Some

In much the same way that some westerners see Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Taiwanese, Thai, Vietnamese and every other East Asian culture as being the same – some Hong Kongers also do the same as well.

It is understandable. A lot of the countries in western culture have influenced each other, or even been borne out of another western country (Australia and American for example).

Yet I find it highly amusing when I’m introduced to, for example, a French person with the belief from the local host that we will instantly get on because we are from the west. This is despite the fact said French person can only speak broken English, and I speak French like a five-year-old child.

Similarly, some locals find it hard to believe when I tell them that American and British culture actually is not that similar at all, and that we probably share more affinity with Australian culture.

Image and Status is everything out here

Perfectly cut suits, thousand-dollar handbags, black credit card. – image is key. Well it is to be expected from one of the most capitalist societies on earth.

And let’s not forget the business card with your impressive title, that you must hand out with two hands (with a slight bow) to any new professional contact you meet. 

Oh and don’t forget to receive their business cards with two hands, pretend to read it and – don’t you dare put it away in your pocket! Leave it out on the table in his view, for the whole duration of your meeting with him. Respect the name card!

Time is Money. Money is Time

I touched upon the speed at which decisions are made, and work is completed here in Hong Kong in my last blog post. But the thing I didn’t mention is how it permeates into social life as well.

There is no such thing as a slow weekend with no plans, where you decide on Saturday morning with to do with your mates. Everyone plans in advance, no one wastes time.

I recall doing karaoke with local Hong Kongers, and the pushiness of getting through songs so we can sing all the tracks we want in our allocated time.

Or being told hurry up and drink my scalding hot soup, that was just literally placed before me by the waiter at a lunch.

Time is money and money is time, even when you’re supposed to be slowing down and enjoying yourself.

Most Western Brands are Considered Luxury out here

Pret a Manger - a staple of the London office worker is rare out here. And because it’s western, it’s seen as exotic and almost a luxury. Much in the same way a British office coos whenever someone buys a Thai Takeaway for lunch.

Marks and Spencer, already fairly upper market in the UK, is pretty much high class out here. And let’s not mention how even more dear the pricing is…

Macanese People are a Different Breed of Chinese People

Of course, I don’t mean this in a horrible racist way. Rather I mean this in a jovial, appreciate their difference way. I mean, what’s the first thing you think of when you are asked to describe the behaviours of Chinese people? Money driven, extremely hard working, borderline ruthless when it comes to business.

Well Macanese people (the citizens of the once former Portuguese colony of Macau) just aren’t. Or at least they have had their Chinese traits toned down significantly by five hundred years of Portuguese culture and influence. 

They are very laid back and to say the pace of life is slower there is an understatement.

Their approach to life is the complete opposite to those in Hong Kong. And I can say this with a degree of certainty, as my girlfriend lives there.

You miss Football and Pub culture, but this is replaced with other pleasures

Watching the afternoon kick off on a weekend with your mates, sipping a pint whilst taking it easy. Doesn’t really exist out here. If you go out to drink, you will be doing it at night, and more than likely you will be doing it to get drunk.

So for all the English football and pub culture I miss, you replace it with:-

actually playing football; hiking and camping to stunning mountains and beaches;  discovering new restaurants; enjoying the sun (which is a far more familiar sight here than in the UK), meeting new people (far more easy here than in the UK), and exploring those shops and bars hidden away in the higher floors of buildings that somehow seem to receive enough customers for them to pay their eye watering rent.

And to Summarise…

Though it may seem I have been slightly more negative in this post compared to my previous one, I can assure you my mood is far from it. I still think Hong Kong is a fantastic, dynamic, convenient and astonishingly intriguing place.  I have only made deeper analysis of the observations I have of this culture and city. 

Some things are peculiar, some are annoying. But on the whole, it’s still an incredible place, and I cannot foresee a time when I’ll move back to the UK.