Tuition was hardly popular in Hong Kong about a decade ago.Today, you can see huge billboards promoting tuition courses in major shopping area like Mongkok and Causeway Bay.This issue is unique to Hong Kong. I travelled among many asian countries and I had never come across anything similar.

This phenomenon is caused by partial failure of the Hong Kong education system which is very dogmatic and inflexible. In short, learning in school is boring. Students are unable to pay attention in class as the teaching materials and methods are outdated.

On the other hand, commercial tuition centers break away from traditional teaching doctrine that win the favor of tens of thousands of Hong Kong Students. Students are motivated in learning by innovated teaching methods and therefore they have significant improvement in their academic results. With the words of mouth, their businesses get much better.Tuition center has begun to play an important role in Hong Kong education.

How does tuition center manage to overcome the biggest obstacle- lack of space, in doing business in Hong Kong? It will be a very difficult to find premises to house few hundred of students. Commercial tuition centers are scattered all over Hong Kong,they are satellite tuition centers. Lectures are recorded in advance and simply braodcast during tuition hours. How smart they are!!

Be alert at all times.

Similar to all large cities, there will be some gangster activities going on especially in pubs, nightclubs, bathhouses, massage parlours. Most times, you will not get into trouble as a visitor of the city unless you get too drunk…

Avoid walking alone in dark alleys in the middle of the night. Always stick to the main roads.

Do look after your personal belongings at all times and be wary of pickpockets especially in crowded places, bazaars , night-markets, etc.

I will not encourage you to purchase any goods from any suspicious person handing out flyers / cards inviting you to “another location” for brand goods/ watches. You are likely to be conned into purchasing expensive counterfeit goods or goods that have been stolen. Monetary loss aside, I am more concerned about your own safety.

Since the electricity voltage in Hong Kong may not be the same as your home town, I will not suggest you purchase any electrical appliances in Hong Kong. Furthermore, the product warranty usually does not cover worldwide. Do not buy any unknown branded electrical appliance, they are likely made in China with poor quality and low safety controls.

next article – Chinese New Year

photo credit: TheTruthAbout…

Dear SMOKERS,

We are sorry to inform you as of 1st January 2007, non-smoking areas have been extended to cover the indoor areas of all restaurant premises, indoor workplaces, public indoor places, and some public outdoor places . No one can smoke or carry a lit cigarette, cigar, or pipe in no smoking areas.

Some pubs and clubs do allow smoking indoors, please check with the staff before lighting up. The maximum fine is HK$5000.

next article – Crime & Safety in Hong Kong

photo credit: gruntzooki

It is definitely not a good experience to encounter emergency situations, especially in a foreign land.
These are some tips that may be helpful in an emergency situation.

1. Have a mobile phone that is connected to the Hong Kong local mobile networks (click to learn more about telecommunication in HK )

2. The emergency number for the Police, Fire Department, Ambulance Service is the SAME – 999.

3. Purchase travel insurance before your trip, take down the telephone number of the insurance company. Medical & dental emergency services are expensive anywhere else around the world.

4. Useful telephone numbers are as follow :
Hong Kong Country Code – 852 (If you are calling outside Hong Kong)
Collect Call – 10010
Tourism Board Visitor Hotline- 2508 1234
Consumer Council -2929 2222

next article – Smoking in Hong Kong

If you happen to fall sick and need to get medication in Hong Kong, you can locate a pharmacist in shops with this sign displayed.

These are local drug stores selling over-the-counter medication. If you have a medical prescription, you can obtain the prescribed medication via the pharmacist during office hours.

My advice is to bring along some commonly used medication along with you. (such as painkillers, anti-diarrhea medication…etc). It will definitely dampen your mood by looking for medication in the middle of the night and even if you do manage to find them, they are going to cost you a bit. Precaution is always better than cure!!

next article – Hong Kong Tramway

next article – duty free concessions