Someone once said that Hong Kong was the result of the world’s biggest drug deal. While not quite that simple, the once-sleepy fishing village became the ransom paid by China to Britain to end the Opium Wars in the 19th century. It later became the Far East’s mercantile center and an escape for Chinese fleeing persecution. Today, as part of China, Hong Kong struggles to maintain its identity as traditional China meets Western culture.
Understanding Hong Kong
Most Chinese in Hong Kong speak Cantonese. While technically a dialect, it is really quite a different spoken language than Mandarin, the official language spoken in Beijing. Even the architecture and scenery vary -- the Victorian waterfront gives way to ancient Chinese temples and traditions.
Business Meetings
Westerners will encounter both Chinese and Hong Kong Chinese as their business counterparts. While the latter can move to the heart of a matter rather quickly, be ready to build personal relationships, as guanxi, or mutual obligations between contacts, is the oil that keeps business going.
Business cards should be exchanged when you first meet. Exchanges can be done quickly, although you must treat the cards respectfully. Wait to be introduced to people before introducing yourself.
The most important person on a Hong Kong business team generally sits in the middle of the negotiating table. Do not seat yourself -- you should wait to be seated. You will typically be placed opposite your perceived peer.
Avoid discussing politics, your personal opinions or other offensive topics. Opening conversations should be short. Hong Kong Chinese are impressed by status and rank, so it may be important to give the appearance of wealth and position. Formal business attire is the standard.
The pace of business can be very fast. Hong Kong Chinese are quick to assure you that they can take care of things. Values like risk-taking and efficiency are important.
Business Entertaining
Hong Kong’s banquets are legendary, and you will most likely be invited to one. They typically start in the early evening and can go on into the night. You will enjoy an almost endless parade of many different Chinese dishes -- most of them reflecting the area’s Cantonese cuisine -- typically beginning with some sweet and savory appetizers, moving on to a main dish of steamed grouper or large fish, through vegetables, pickles and meat.
Rice is typically served with all dishes. Most food will be served in the center of the table, allowing everyone to serve themselves. Always handle your chopsticks adeptly -- never stand them straight up in your rice bowl, use them as pointers or hold them separately in two hands. Hold your rice bowl up by your chin, under the food held in your chopsticks, and whisk some rice into your mouth after you eat the food from your plate.
There is often much drinking, so be prepared to make a toast. Leave your glass half full if do not want any more to drink. Never refill your own glass. Always refill your neighbor’s glass when it is less than half-empty.
Unique to Hong Kong, the way to thank a waiter for more tea or rice is to quietly tap your index and middle fingers together once or twice on the table.
Gifts and Gift Giving
Gift giving is a common way of expressing thanks and obligation. If you have gifts for all members of a team, the head of the team should get a higher quality present. Other team members should be given identical, token gifts. Typically, gifts are wrapped, presented and received with two hands, and opened after the presenter has gone. Cutlery is an inappropriate gift -- it symbolizes the cutting of the relationship. The number four is considered unlucky, and clocks are not appropriate gifts as the Chinese word for clock is similar to the word for death.
While the future of Hong Kong remains to be seen, you can succeed if, while feeling comfortable in its Western familiarity, you remain respectful of Hong Kong’s ancient Chinese customs and roots.
