The following is from a letter to me sent on September 11, 2012 from “L”, an American friend of mine, who has just returned to San Francisco from a trip to South East Asia. She stayed in Hong Kong some twenty years ago. and has visited Hong Kong a few times since:
“When we were in Hong Kong my friend M (who was born in Singapore) and his wife J (both Chinese but raised overseas) would watch the Mainlanders and make funny comments... we would play a game, "spot the mainlander" Luca (L’s son)was the best of us in spotting one. I was amazed - but most of the time, i could not spot a Mainlander from Hong Konger! The cheap clothing, funny haircuts, stilted way of walking -- was no longer there! They all were carrying expensive smart phones. Though, at the airport I could usually spot one, since they had cheap luggage, or suitcases with Hello Kitty on them.... but, it was amazing in such a short period of time how they have changed.
I understand from M that they have been buying up all the new flats in Hong Kong - but are keeping the economy afloat so nobody is bashing them, since they need them there. When we were in Cambodia - they were enjoying themselves - with loud drinking games. They were having a good time ... the manager of the hotel came over to us to apologize for their behavior - but it did not bother me at all. Mark told me that there were cases of Mainlanders buying Rothschild wine $5,000 - and then mixing it with Coca Cola!
Where do you think things are headed in China? I would never have thought things were bleak in China from my recent trip to Asia. I know the pollution is bad. I have a horrible cough that won't go away, from the pollution. OH, and then other thing that I really noticed about Mainlanders. They were overweight! I couldn't get over that. They were hefty! and the kids I saw were virtually all overweight. My kids were definitely thinner and in better health then the Mainlander kids we saw. Seems that there is finally a big push now in this country to get people to start eating healthy, throw away the junk food, and eat right.”
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