Hong Kong Parents Do & Don't

Do
1. Hong Kong parents always compare their child with others, all the time. They like to compare talents, academic result, the university you are studying, and the job you are working. When I was small, other family members like to compare my height with their kids.

2. Hong Kong parents always expect their child to be some kind of professional in the future, like doctor and dentist. If you tell them you want to enter into entertainment industry, they would say NO for that because it is dangerous.

3. When parents & other family members see your face got acnes, they would comment on you and say "There are lots of acnes on your face... You should fix it..." For me, I think they just care too much about other's appearance.

4. Hong Kong parents usually request their child to learn at least one music instrument, usually piano. Having the exam for any music instrument can help you get good primary school, secondary school and University. If you really are passionate about music and want to be musician in future. Sorry, most of the Hong Kong parents are realistic because it is difficult to earn money for living as a musician, and you have to give money support for your parents.

5. Hong Kong parents like to question about this and that, like "Where are you now?", "What are you doing?", "Did you have your lunch?", "Who are you with?", and "When are you gonna go home?". My parents ask me some of the questions every day, and that's just annoying.

6. Before you go out and leave your home, what Hong Kong parents must do is ask you if you have got your jacket. They would say there are air conditioners in shopping mall and restaurants, and you should get the jacket. If you don't, they would usually get you a jacket that does not match with your outfit.

7. If Hong Kong parents see their child are lazy to do nothing, they will scold their child. For me, I always study in the afternoon. When my parents are back from work in the evening, I just take a rest on bed. But, they just scold at me because they see me doing nothing. And that is helpless to explain what I have done in the afternoon. So my advice to you who have the same problem like you is when they check on you, you just keep busy all the time.


Don't 
1. If you say 'I Love You' to your Hong Kong parents, they would not respond 'I Love You' to you. This is Hong Kong, not America. People in Hong Kong would not do that. That just only happen on TV drama.

2. Hong Kong parents usually would not allow you to move out after graduation from University. Parents just want to live with you and have you around all the time. And the other reason that you cannot move out is that the housing prices in Hong Kong are super high that you cannot afford that, which I think it is pathetic.So, it is quite impossible for you to have an independent life.

3. Hong Kong parents seldom have a talk with their children. Parents are busy on working, and children are busy with their tight schedules on studying and joining extracurricular activities.

4. Hong Kong parents seldom listen to you talking about stuffs that aren't important. They care about the grade of your academic result, whether you can enter into school or university or not.

5. Hong Kong parents would not allow their child to have tattoos. Tattoos have a symbolism of 'rebel'. And it will damage that one's image.

6. Hong Kong parents usually would not allow their child to stay at friend's home. They think it is not safe to stay there.