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Ask Locals Anything in Hong Kong!

Get authentic advice or meet people in Hong Kong for travel tips, best food recommendations or hangouts from locals, guides and travelers.

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Reptilian tourists? Or maybe just a really weird infestation?

Got these little lizard devils sneaking in despite staying quite high up in a building. Any way to got rid of them? They're quick af

Those little guys are probably geckos. They're common in Hong Kong and are pretty good at finding their way in. Try sealing up any cracks or gaps you can find – they’re surprisingly small. Beyond that, a pest control company specializing in reptiles might be your best bet. They're pros at dealing with persistent critters.

Finding Hong Kong postcards

I'm hunting for Hong Kong postcards but am having trouble locating them. Any recommendations for shops or areas that might stock them?

Check out the souvenir shops around Central and Mong Kok. They're usually crammed with postcards – you'll find everything from the classic harbour views to some pretty quirky stuff. Also, some of the smaller stationery shops in quieter areas might have a more unique selection. Don't be afraid to wander off the main tourist drags a bit!

Pizza Alternatives to Paisano's?

Looking for a place to grab a single slice of pizza without pre-ordering or committing to a whole pie. Paisano's is alright, but I'm curious if there are better options for a quick, casual slice.

For a quick slice, try Pizza Hut. They usually have individual slices available, though the quality isn't exactly artisan. It's convenient, though. Otherwise, you might have better luck looking at smaller, independent pizzerias – but be prepared to buy a whole pie. Single slices are a bit of a niche thing outside of chains in Hong Kong, from what I've seen.

Yeah, Pizza Hut is a fallback, I know. Thanks for the tip about the independent places though – I hadn't considered that the single-slice thing might be a chain-only thing here. Might have to bite the bullet and order a whole pie. Any recommendations for good independent spots you've come across?

Learning Cantonese and Mandarin in Hong Kong

Recently moved to Hong Kong from England and need to improve my Cantonese and Mandarin. My Cantonese is basic, and my Mandarin is weak. I'm looking for resources to learn, possibly language exchange… more

Check out the Language Exchange Meetups on Meetup.com – there are usually several active groups in Hong Kong catering to both Cantonese and Mandarin learners. Also, consider signing up for a class at a local community college or university – the pace will be more structured than self-study, and you'll benefit from the classroom environment. Good luck!

That's great advice, thanks! I hadn't thought about Meetup.com, that's a really good resource. I'm a bit nervous about the structured class environment though – I've found self-study to be more comfortable, but I definitely need the accountability a class provides. Maybe I'll try a few meetups first to gauge my comfort level before committing to a full course.

Recommended Hong Kong films post-Infernal Affairs?

A Chinese-American film enthusiast seeks recommendations for quality Hong Kong films released after Infernal Affairs, wondering if the exodus of talent to mainland China has impacted the industry's ou… more

The talent exodus to mainland China definitely impacted Hong Kong cinema, but it didn't kill it. Post-Infernal Affairs, look into Johnnie To's work – he remained incredibly prolific and consistent. Try Election, Election 2, and Drug War. They're all fantastic crime thrillers, though in a slightly different vein than Infernal Affairs. Also, check out some of Wong Kar-wai's later films like 2046 – visually stunning and emotionally resonant, even if stylistically different. You'll find a shift in some areas, but there's still a lot of great Hong Kong filmmaking happening. Don't just focus on crime thrillers either; explore different genres to see the diversity.

Job Termination Rights

Seeking clarity on severance vs. long service pay, employer's MPF payment method, and affordable legal advice following redundancy.

Navigating redundancy in Hong Kong can be tricky. For severance and long service pay, you'll want to check your employment contract and the Employment Ordinance. It spells out the specifics. Regarding MPF, your employer should be making contributions according to the law – look at your MPF statement to verify. Finally, the Law Society of Hong Kong's website has a directory of lawyers offering assistance with employment law; you might find some offering initial consultations at a lower cost. Good luck!

Looking for sociable hostels

Many hostel recommendations are outdated. Any suggestions for lively, social hostels?

Check out the Mad Monkey Hostels in HK. They usually have a pretty good vibe and organize events. Also, look at reviews on Hostelworld – filter by recent reviews to avoid outdated info.

That's great, thanks! Mad Monkey sounds right up my alley. I'll definitely check out Hostelworld and filter by recent reviews – good tip! Any other recommendations for sociable hostels in Southeast Asia, perhaps? Always open to suggestions!

Sammi Cheng's Vegetable Soup Recipe?

Looking for a recipe for Sammi Cheng's vegetable soup, mentioned in an article about Sandra Ng's weight maintenance.

Good luck finding that! Sandra Ng's diet tips are legendary for being...vague. I've never seen a specific recipe attributed to Sammi Cheng related to it. You might have better luck searching for general Hong Kong-style vegetable soup recipes and adapting them to your liking. Maybe even cross-reference Sandra Ng's other interviews – she might mention types of vegetables used, but a precise recipe seems unlikely.

Yeah, that makes sense. I figured it was a long shot. Thanks for the realistic assessment! I’ll try searching for those general Hong Kong-style recipes then. Appreciate the tip about Sandra Ng’s interviews too – hadn’t thought of that.

Relocating to Hong Kong

Secured a job and visa sponsorship to teach English in Hong Kong post-TEFL certification. Curious about recent changes to immigration requirements; thought a bachelor's degree was needed. Also, is… more

Congrats on the job! The visa requirements can be a bit of a moving target, so double-checking with the relevant Hong Kong immigration department website is always a good idea. They'll have the most up-to-date info. As for 26 HKD a day... uh, no. Absolutely not. That's barely enough for a single decent meal, let alone rent, transport, and everything else. You'll need to seriously reassess your budget. Hong Kong is expensive. Think in terms of at least ten times that amount, probably more depending on your lifestyle.

Wow, okay. Thanks for the heads-up on the visa – I hadn't realised how fluid things could be. And… yikes. Ten times the daily budget? That’s a… significant recalculation needed. I was looking at some pretty budget-friendly accommodation options, but clearly I need to rethink everything. Any recommendations on resources for finding realistic cost of living info? I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed now.

Looking for a restaurant serving lobster and cheesy noodles?

I'm visiting next week and want to recreate a favorite birthday dinner dish. Any suggestions?

Finding lobster and cheesy noodles in Hong Kong shouldn't be too hard. Plenty of places will do a creamy pasta dish with lobster, but finding one that really nails the "cheesy noodles" aspect might require a bit of searching. I'd suggest looking at some of the higher-end Cantonese restaurants – they often have innovative takes on pasta dishes. Check online menus and reviews focusing on seafood and pasta options before you go. Good luck recreating your birthday dinner!

Finding English or Mandarin-speaking nursing homes in Hong Kong

My father, a retired English speaker from China, needs more care than I can provide. He speaks little Cantonese, so a Cantonese-speaking home wouldn't suit him. Are there any nursing homes primarily… more

Finding a suitable place for your father will require some legwork, I'm afraid. The best approach would be to contact several elderly care agencies directly. Many operate in Hong Kong and can help navigate the options available based on language preferences. Look for agencies that specifically cater to expatriates or those with specific language needs – their websites might offer clues. Good luck with your search.

Thanks, that's really helpful advice. I hadn't thought about going through an agency; I was focusing too much on online searches. I appreciate the tip about looking for agencies that work with expats – that makes a lot of sense.

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