Wondering the number of "gweilos" we see on in Hong Kong? .
As the former British colony of its return to Chinese rule since years, figures show the number of western expatriates has fallen every year.
Most of the analysts say that the fall in the western population is caused by increasing localization of jobs as well as its expensive international schools and worsening air pollution for them to set up their family...True??
Perhaps we still see many of them, even so many of them in the streets or at Lan Kwai Fong, Wanchai or Tsim Sha Tsui. But probably they are only in Hong Kong as tourists, or having a contract job and are only trying to live the Hong Kong life. Realizing that the pollution is not getting any better and more jobs are getting localized, there's more than just money Hong Kong can offer...True is not....*Sigh.
Anyhow, by nature of human beings, they like to create categories. Classifying helps us determine where we fit, helps us to remember, and defines the world around the community. A lot of people would classify the expats they have seen or met.
The Exploiter
This is always a male. They come here to take advantage of the cheap labor, and attractive women who want a better life with those old expats. Most of the times, you'll see them in bars, high-end shopping malls or resorts and villa. They always have a woman much younger and far more attractive than themselves.
From my experience, they are typically Australian or British. They could care less about learning the language or customs as well as the real life of Hong Kong. Everyone here should bow at their feet. Many have wives or lovers back in their home country, and a local "wife" or a local "girlfriend" here.
The Lifestyle Seekers
These are mostly men and a few women who have come to live lavishly in a low cost environment. They are usually older or more mature in their middle age. Many have a local spouse who is far better than they could attain had they remained in their country of origin and very likely married for looks or pretty facade body. Others definitely married someone like they would have at home - someone who makes them happy. Most have decided that this is where they want to be for an extended period of time. Most of them learn the language - thanks to their spouse (what British colonialists would have called a "sleeping dictionary") - have learned the customs and live like a local.
The Passing Through
This group is either young professional on their first internship or someone who, with their family, are veteran expats on another expat contract. There are a lot more women in this group, though still dominated by men.
The Passing Through group is here on a temporary contract with no intentions of putting down roots and staying for a long time (though, some Lifestyle Seekers did start this way).Embassy workers, product/brand managers, and financial professionals most commonly fall in this category. Most I've met are on their 3rd or 4th contract and already know where they are going after this one.
Well, This is indeed the typical expat symptom in Hong Kong and Asia still.
Agree??
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