Living in Hong Kong

Hong Kong has always been associated with crowded streets, shoebox dwellings and long queues to buses and popular restaurants. While locals get used to this as part of daily life in the city, it is not unusual to revolt against all the noise that attempt to push everybody to the brink.

Amid the busy, hectic way of life Hong Kong people endure on a daily basis, one ardently hopes the city maintains its 'organized chaos' status. Unfortunately it can't all the time.

• The city's MTR subway system prohibits a passenger from using devices that cause noise to other passengers. However, its constant barrage of public broadcasts reminding everyone not to eat on trains or refrain from walking on escalators is noise in itself. It’s no wonder many people yell when they talk on the phone to drown the noise.

• There is a constant debate as to whether mall promenades should be reserved for pedestrians or exhibitors and tenants for extra income. Some roads have been temporarily closed on weekends to make way for pedestrians but their existence sometimes endanger lives that become preys of careless or uninformed drivers.

• Buses are equipped with television screens not to entertain people but to showcase ads that feature weight-loss shops, beauty care and gadgets that don’t necessarily capture everyone's attention. Instead, such machines are treated with contempt as their presence disrupts any attempt to ponder, relax or nap inside these buses. A sulking occupant can only try to drown the noise with a handy iPod’s volume.

• In the shopping district of Mong Kok, acid throwing into the crowd has recently become a regular news item. One might ask when will be the next attack occur. But at the mean time, locals and tourists continue to flock the area, hoping they can parry the shots of a crazed citizen.

• Even without people, there are sign posts that obviously aim for sanity and silence. At public buses and hiking trails, it is common to see 'Please keep quiet' signs to remind people to tone down voices on the phone. Noise barriers are installed on many roads that sit close to residential towers. Even trains going to the border city of Shenzhen have 'quiet cars' that are presumably more relaxing journey but passenger comfort isn’t always guaranteed.

To locals, these tell-tale signs come as no surprise, for everyone feels their necessity. But for newcomers, it's an extension of culture shock they have to endure.

Photo credit: Studio H