The 12 signs that you’re a real Hongkonger

We certainly do get more lairy than most at people who blithely stand on the left side of escalators and travelators. This might fly in other cities but listen, you ain’t in Kansas any more, buddy. If you want to stand, shuffle to the right like everyone else who is stationary. The left side is solely reserved for people who are rushing to get places or want to squeeze in a quick leg day sesh – don’t cross them.

Sure, texting and typing in English is the fastest way to communicate, but a real child of Hong Kong can seamlessly combine and swap between Chinese and English like a boss by spelling out phonetics. You know, like typing ‘ng goi’ in place of ‘thanks’ or ‘dllm’ in place of ‘I love you’.

Sign one: Your body is 80 percent carbohydrates instead of water. You literally get grumpy when you don’t have some form of carb in your belly. For you, carbs work as any meal. Breakfast? Congee or macaroni. Lunch? Stir-fried noodles. Dinner? A big ol’ bowl of rice. And snack? Instant noodles.

Walk around the streets of Mong Kok, and you’ll quickly realise that Hong Kong has a serious love affair with bubble tea, one that leads us through the highs and lows of life. From traditional cheese milk cap tea to the Instagram-worthy brown sugar milk tea, you’ll never fall short of bubble tea options in Hong Kong. We even have a guide on all the ways you can customise your bubble tea order.

Sleeping with wet hair is the biggest offence in Hong Kong culture. It ought to have been instilled in you from a young age that it’s a big no-no. “You’ll get headaches for the rest of your life,” they warned. Hairdryers are therefore a must-have in the house.

Any true Hongkonger will know that the ‘hang loose’ sign typically associated with Hawaiian surf culture really means the number six in Hong Kong. That auntie in the wet market isn’t trying to gesture to her surf buddies – she’s making a sign that represents the number six with her hands. It’s just a funny coincidence that the Chinese character for six (六) looks like the ‘hang loose’ sign.

Seriously, Hong Kong jingles are like earworms. Maybe television commercials were simply better back in the day, or you can chalk it up by the sheer amount of TV you used to watch. Either way, you somehow have the ability to recite every line to these ads and can sing the jingles of numerous old advertisements. We can bet that you remember Sze Hing Loong roasted peanuts or Weisen-U.

Hong Kong’s cha chaan tengs have a lot to offer: pineapple buns with butter, milk tea, egg tarts, and so much more. However, in order to determine whether or not someone is a true Hongkonger, we judge them not by what they order, but by whether or not they drink the water offered on the table. While tourists and fresh-off-the-plane expats will start sipping on the cup of water that the servers put on their tables, locals shake their heads and start washing their cutlery in the cup of water instead.

Umbrellas are a double-edged sword for Hongkongers. They’re the perfect tool to shield us against sudden downpours or summer’s harsh UV rays – but boy we also love to complain about anyone who pokes us with their brolly. 

Hongkongers are suckers for freebies – and love to be the first to try something new. That’s how we end up standing in line for over an hour every lunchtime or weekend just to get our hands on freebies, the occasional incredible cheap sale, or a seat at the hottest new restaurant opening.

The air conditioning in Hong Kong malls and restaurants only has two settings: arctic or nothing. Knowing this, the true Hongkonger never leaves home without at least some form of a cardigan or scarf – even in summer. At the office, you have a designated coat solely for surviving the ridiculously and totally unnecessary AC temperatures.

Because how else will people know that you’re going on vacation and be jealous of your exotic holiday? The obligatory photo is taken just before you board your plane, with your passport and boarding pass held up against the airport departure gate. Another thing you have to share on socials: a map of where exactly you’re travelling to. Ah, the life of a modern jet-setting Hongkonger.