Cultural insights from stories of global nomads
Meet with 劉**@ L’As falafel / Reflections with J*****
A variety of factors open up conversations, especially those that need some warming up after a periodic pause. A brief stroll in open air, good food (or wine), and good ambience are the factors that shape a golden triangle of highly synergic conversations. These factors build up appetite, refreshes the mind, and relaxes tension. They can work magic with introductions to little acquainted pals, reunions with long unconnected pals, or the initial few meetups with new friends.
Met up with 劉 today in Paris, and we had one of the most authentic “reflective” conversations that was insightful, thought-provoking, and highly synergic. Her impression drastically pivoted from junior high, when we sat in the same classroom for 3 years, unaware to our future path crossings only 6 years after in Paris. 8 years after our initial acquaintance when we were 12, our huge transitions came as a surprise. Navigating exotic grounds in overseas university studies, obstacles faced, adaptations stimulated, and experiences reflected all built up our personal values throughout the years. Being global little nomads, I found that life experiences itself is one of the most interesting things I learn from each reunion.
Being a respectful, sincere, and patient listener has its own rewards. I really enjoy listening to diverse life experiences, and from 劉’s POV I glimpsed worldview’s navigating in one of US’s small but high caliber liberal arts college. Cultural environment, and social interaction, racial diversity, and personal values were differences in the US that challenged people to find personal equilibrium when adapting. An incredibly different lecturing environment (10 people small seminars, faculty-student interaction, research opportunities), culture diversity (huge Jew population, mostly Caucasians), recreational choices, and people interaction were incredibly different from my university experience.劉 had strong impressions of the US’s capitalism from interesting POVs- medical resource allocation, University education, and people interaction.
Learning from 劉’s impression on Hong Kong and China gave me another perspective to look at the cultures that I’ve been navigating and grew increasingly familiar with in the past few years. She appreciated HK’s pace, gastronomy, frenzy, and diversity; its 市井氣息 when the culture still owns its roots yet transforms at a rapid pace integrating as an international business hub. 「我要在一個能看到老人、小孩、窮人的地方，看看平常人的生活方式，和一個社會的文化根基。」「內地有些城市發展得太快了，追求經濟發展的步伐超過了一個市井小民能負荷的生活水平」I enjoy Hong Kong in many aspects — the convenience, the incredibly sharp learning curve, the connectedness both with the global community and mainland, and the traditional culture that strikes outsiders as aggressive, fast paced, and rude yet strikes me as direct, practical, true (in reflecting the environment), and I found a lot warmth from the people itself after mastering the language and connecting with people from many aspects of the diverse society. Yet, never have I thought about HK’s culture and environment in 劉’s POV, and I appreciate seeing the city in a different light.
On the other hand, I really enjoyed the conversations I had with J*****. I believed that the conversations we had in Paris and the insights I gained about Hong Kong culture and mindset would definitely not have taken place back in HKUST where we first met. Back there, we both had our social circles, our lives intersected during the GBUS courses, and we parted ways immediately after class. Both were in hectic schedule under the fast torrent of Hong Kong, yet after the first “real conversation” with J***** I found her extremely kindhearted, social, smart, and practical, with novel interests in making deserts haha. Being flat mates here in ECLA created a special setting for in depths dialogue and reflections. We enjoyed many cooking and dining evenings when life was chill- we both had only 2 days of class per week, and this relaxed ambience created room for dialogue, reflection, and cultural exchange at a comfortable pace.
Over dinner preparations, cooking, and dining, countless topics were exchanged around the table. From the HK education system, the impact of China on HK’s business arena, the mindset of traditional HK families, HK island “aboriginals” that I never knew existed, traditional celebrations, and evolving perspectives of the youth generation, I gained immense understanding of the HK culture-straight from a local herself. Social phenomena can be easily observed, for instance the pace of life, the working environment, the changing regulations, the traditional societal norms, and the vibes of people, yet real understanding to one’s culture is incomplete without mutual understanding and learning from perspectives straight from the people.
J***** shared her views about the HK local’s complicated relationship with China- not wanting to be categorized as “Chinese” with negative impressions from the overflow of tourists, the fear of losing independence over speech and internet freedom, the unfavored non-democratic 特首election, the alarm of subtly altered regulations from Chinese government officials, and other multiple aspects. On the other hand, China plays an important role in business, tourism, and cultural exchange, thus the complicated relationship makes both parties inextricably linked. Being a good listener, sharing about mutually interested aspects of culture, and learning from peers has always been a joy. Each day, I learn something new from individuals-I enjoy these cultural exchanges, and I’m extremely blessed and grateful.
