my HK: Have you been in HK too long?
Have you been in Hong Kong too long ?
Hong Kong is a city that can make or break you. Some thrive and some barely survive.
I’ve seen the kindest and most patient of people turn into fierce animals.
Have you been in Hong Kong too long? Total your score to help you decide.
While seated on the MTR, if a seat on the end becomes available, do you switch seats?
3 Points- Always, keep me away!
2 Points- Sometimes, it’s the best seat.
1 Point- Never
Do you say, “Lah” at the end of your sentences?
3 Points- Always, it’s okay, lah.
2 Points- Sometimes, it just slips out.
1 Point- Never, I speak English.
Do you hold open the door for people coming behind you?
3 Points- Never, I don’t have time for that.
2 Points- Sometimes, if I’m not in a rush.
1 Point- Always, it’s too easy.
Do you buy more than 20 toilet paper rolls at a time?
3 Points- Always. It saves me 6-8%
2 Points- No, but I would if my apartment was bigger.
1 Point- Never
Have you yelled at a phone operator?
3 Points- Yes
2 Points- Yes, because he kept interupting me.
1 Point- No
Do you wear a scarf and winter coat when it is above 12 degrees Celcius?
3 Points- Yes
2 Points- No
1 Point- No, because I dont have a winter coat in Hong Kong.
Do you say, “Aiyaa!”
3 Points- Yes, it’s absolutely neccessary!
2 Points- Yes, only jokingly.
1 Point- Never
Do you play on your smart phone during dinner?
3 Points- Yes – It’s more entertaining than my family.
2 Points- Yes – Only for very important matters.
1 Point- Never
Do you get annoyed when you see someone sneeze?
3 Points- Yes, visibly.
2 Points- Yes, if it’s near me.
1 Points- No, everyone needs to sneeze.
Do you ask people if they’ve eaten or not?
3 Points- Yes, it’s better than saying, “How are you?”
2 Points- Yes, because I just need to know!
1 Points- No, it’s none of my business.
AND the results are……..
27-30
RUN!! I’m not saying that you should go and never come back. Just get out and experience a different culture for a while. Hit refresh! Understand that there are two sides to every coin. Come back with a little more patience and empathy for others. After returning, take a stab (probably not the best verb to use with you…) at Tai Chi or yoga.
Get yourself to Lockhart Road and pick out some paint for your apartment. Adding some colour and warmth to your home can only help.
23-26
You are officially in “NO MAN’S LAND”. I’ve seen people lost in this state for years. You may remain here for a long time or you may tip towards insanity-it’s anyone’s guess. My suggestion is a nice long holiday back home. Afterwards, bring back some leisure reading and a greater sense of calm and awareness of others. Cut yourself completely off of Chinese tea and put a “Bucket Lah” in your living room. Everytime you say, “Lah,” throw a few dollars in the bucket. At the end of every month, the money collected must be spent on tips for waiters and taxi drivers.
19-22
You’re safe, for now. But don’t be too complacent and take the fact that you grew up in a western country for granted. You’re on a slippery slope and could very easily be eating chicken feet on the regular very soon. We recommend that you spend a little more time outdoors this year. Take some extra hikes and find a way to get to the beach more often. Avoid lining up for food and have an extra glass of wine before calling NOWtv.
15-18
Don’t go feeling overly proud of yourself. Back in your home country, you’d still be considered a freak. And if you’ve only been in Hong Kong for a year or less, you should definitely be concerned! We recommend never sitting on the MTR. Go onto that train with the mindset that sitting is for the weak and you don’t need it and take pride in not having to check your phone every 5 minutes or so. Very important! Never say, “Aiyaa!” It’s extremely addictive and once you do, I’m afraid that you won’t be able to stop.
10-14
Congratulations! You’re doing just fine, but don’t go tooting your own horn too loudly. Sometimes the slightest of events can turn your course and once that happens it’s anyone’s guess where you’ll end up. Keep focussed on tolerance and remember that you never know whether that person walking the slalom in front of you has some sort of disease or not. Also, don’t hide yourself from local culture. Get yourself out for an outdoor dinner at a dai pai dong and take the tram once in a while.
Thanks for taking The Guest Room quiz! Let me know your score and your thoughts in the comment section below!
Look out for more blog action like this on our website, http://www.theguestroom.org.
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Cheers,
Mr.J
The Guest Room 
I said ‘ayaaaa’ even while doing this, haha
Ha!!:)
What was your score??!!
MrJ
I scored a 15. Not bad considering that I’ve been here for 8 years…;)
MrJ
17 🙂
I scored 16. 🙂
Born and raised here and scored 28. Eek!
Oh boy Joe….
You’re trouble!!;)
Thanks for taking the quiz!!
Why is it scoring high points a bad thing? I am sure this is written either by a foreigner or a so-called Chinese brought up somewhere in the West. Proud to live in Hong Kong. Period.
Why am I telling you?,
There are only ten questions on the quiz, if you’re proud of using your phone while having your family dinner, not holding the door open for people, getting visibly upset at someone sneezing, and yelling at someone on the phone, then more power to you.
I’m glad you’re proud to live in Hong Kong. So am I.
Sure, it’s just a fun quiz poking fun at some of the things I have experienced and witnessed during my time in HK.
It’s very easy to see exactly who wrote the quiz on the website if that really matters to you.
Cheers
MrJ
I scored 12 – seemed right as I love HK even though now in WA……. would love to able to afford to go back.
Hey Dashinoz,
Thanks a lot for following the blog! Hopefully we can keep you in the loop until you return.
Cheers!
MrJ
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Been here 12 years but moving back to the UK next year (not due to the results of this quiz). Scored 23.
Cheers HKbuas,
Have a great time back in the UK, and hurry on back!
MrJ
Thanks for the quiz! Really interesting! I scored 14. And I’ve been here for 4.5 yrs.
Nice score!!!
Reblogged this on The Guest Room.
Born and raised in HK , got a 15. So does a higher score means living longer in HK or vice versa ? lol
It sounds like you’re doing alright!! 😉
Thx for reading!!
Jeff