Working in HONG KONG or CHINA

[RLboy]

A pleasant day to everyone.

I would like to know if there are any PExer here who works in either Hong Kong or China. How're the employers? The pay? The environment? How much is the basic / minimum wage? Is the cost of living, expensive? Share us everything there is to know about working on these two countries.

[Dunedain]

Had worked - past tense - in HK. It's not the best place in the world to work since I've tagged this place as "stress capital of the world" when it comes to work. But it's also a good ground where one can prepare themselves for future careers that could be somewhat stressful to many but as a picnic to one who's gone through several waves of stresses.

Comparing the atmospheres of career opportunities, I suppose at some degree, HK is much better than Pinas. For one, I've never called any of my employers as "Sir" or "Madam". They found it rather undeserving and prefers to be called by first name basis - this is common practice. In most instance, employer is hardly dealt with but with the staff or a team when it comes to work. There will be folks talking in Cantonese and/or Putonghua constantly, but working with those who are non-Cantonese such as the Brits, OZs, Yanks, Indians, etc. as well are rather pleasant. Surprisingly, some would even treat you as equal regardless of their seniority in the company. ABCs (American or Australian Born Chinese), CBCs (Canadian Born Chinese), and other BCs as well as half-breeds on the other hand give you somewhere in the 50-50 bracket of equality, but most of my buddies back then are composed of these type of folks so it also depends on how you present yourself.

Pay or compensation happens either once or twice a month, depending on the agreement. If you wish to be handed with an actual check, this can be arranged when you begin. Exchange for cash is not a problem since all they ask is some sort of identification (ie. passport, HK-ID). You can later open a bank account as soon as your resident papers are in order if you wish to just have direct deposit.

Environment is pretty much the same anywhere else - that is if you're single. Weekends are pretty much open for any activity such as shopping, walks in parks, hanging out with friends and/or acquaintances from work, or a sporting activity of sort. Hiking was my favorite on weekends, especially walking along the "Dragon's Back". Just don't do this by yourself since the trekking takes almost a full day with minimal cover from the sun - but with a damn fine view of HK harbor on one side and vast open waters of the South China Sea.

Not sure of the basic wage these days (since last time I was there was back in '97 during the hand-over). I suppose you'll have to decide yourself on what you think is a decent compensation that's being offered.

Cost of living depends on how you live your life in HK. I was extremely tikoy then but I suppose everyone does the same thing one way or another, especially when decided to "leave the nest". But overall, I was able to set aside some money to hand over to my folks, enough to spend for daily life, enough for taxes (best if you yank out 25% from each paycheck just to be safe side), and so on and so on. Last thing you should worry is expenses for going out. Entertainment is not cheap. It's a lot better if you plan to hang-out with a group. You'll find out that you'll be saving a few bucks. Ah, the days of Yeltsin's Inn in Lan Kwai Fong and Rick's Cafe in Wanchai.

Renting a flat is a pain. You can either end up in a single room, or best yet, share a 2 or 3 bedroom with strangers. You can either end up as roomies with FA's from CX, or someone from a different country. You could find some "miracle" happening, probably even on your bed. I won't explain details. Food is not that expensive. But it also depends on where you eat or where you do your groceries. Laundry is not a problem since there are small establishments where you can drop your laundry in the mornings and pick them up by the end of the day - dry and folded but not pressed.

I suppose at this point, you'll have to discover things as many of us who worked there and are still working there. I think a sound advice would be start small and go up each tier as time goes by. Good luck.

[RLboy]

Dunedain: Thank you very much for taking time to respond to my concern, you're such a help.

If I may ask, what's tikoy? FA? CX?

With regards to where I'll be staying, my uncle and his family is a resident of Hong Kong, so no problem with that.

I've actually visited the country a couple of times and I'd say the food is a lil expensive, well probably because we ate in a fast food chain such as McDonald's.

There're several cheap brands such as Giordano, and the tiangge/flea market? for shopping so I suppose I'm okay with that.

What am a lil worried about is the language they use - Cantonese that is. Am Fil-Chi to begin with, am neither a fluent English nor a fluent Mandarin speaker, though I've this book with cassette tape where I can learn basic Cantonese, but do employers interview applicants using their native language?

Which places would you recommend a lad on his early 20's to hangout? Since I neither drink nor smoke, I suppose I wouldn't have to shed a lot for entertainment?


Anyone else who'd want to share their experiences working on either Hong Kong or China?

[Dunedain]

Dunedain: Thank you very much for taking time to respond to my concern, you're such a help.

If I may ask, what's tikoy? FA? CX?

With regards to where I'll be staying, my uncle and his family is a resident of Hong Kong, so no problem with that.

I've actually visited the country a couple of times and I'd say the food is a lil expensive, well probably because we ate in a fast food chain such as McDonald's.

There're several cheap brands such as Giordano, and the tiangge/flea market? for shopping so I suppose I'm okay with that.

What am a lil worried about is the language they use - Cantonese that is. Am Fil-Chi to begin with, am neither a fluent English nor a fluent Mandarin speaker, though I've this book with cassette tape where I can learn basic Cantonese, but do employers interview applicants using their native language?

Which places would you recommend a lad on his early 20's to hangout? Since I neither drink nor smoke, I suppose I wouldn't have to shed a lot for entertainment?


Anyone else who'd want to share their experiences working on either Hong Kong or China?


Tikoy = stingy. FA = Flight Attendants or Stewardess. CX = Cathay Pacific. My employers spoke to me in English so there is no language barrier. It's the people around you where you will hear chatters in Cantonese, just like any office in Manila where most people talk in Filipino such as Tagalog. I'm pure Pinoy so Cantonese was somewhat difficult to learn. So no frets on the communication side. As for what first to do, I would recommend spending the time just going around the city first just to get your bearings. Where is Tsim Sha Tsui, Jordan, Yau Ma Tei, Central, Admirality, Wanchai, Causeway Bay, North Point, Chai wan, Stanley Village, and so on and so on. Taking advanatge on the numerous public transportation (without using the MTR if possible) is the best way to go around - even the tram. If permissible to act as a tourist, do so. There is no harm in asking where to get to where you want to be or how things are done. First timers always do that so it's just natural. Places to go since you're not into vices? I'd say bookstores, hobby shops, media places such as music or movie stores, parks (ie. walks up at The Peak), museums (a couple of them in Tsim Sha Tsui), basically anything to spend the time or get oneself into something of interest with minimal spending if possible. 'Hope this helps.

[joey_girl]

Hi! My dad used to work with Modern International, Fuji Films distributor in Shanghai, China. Well, he was a CFO and his pay was in dollars. He basically had benefits like transportation and an apartment of his own. He worked with different nationals (Chinese of course, Singaporean, Vietnamese) although he had a rather difficult time because he was not fluent in Mandarin which was a requirement of management.

Regarding the cost of living, well he spent mostly on his food since his transportation and rent were taken care of. The house help was also paid for by the company.

He left due to several reasons like the film industry is in the sunset industry and is no longer profitable. There was too much pressure for them to recoop losses.

I suggest that you should really speak their language if you want to work there. I think that's one of their criteria for hiring an employee. I hope this helps. :D