I've posted about how disappointing Hong Kong has been recently. As noted before, the crush of tourists and the 'charm' of the city seemed to have gone away.
The most recent example of this has been in and around the main area we have stayed when making our weekend shopping/eating getaways; Tsim Sha Tsui. And, it all seemed to coincide with the closure of our favorite hotel, the Hyatt Regency. Or, as expat son called it, 'Emily's House.'
What am I talking about? Street Touts. Specifically, the gauntlet of Indian touts on Nathan Road between the Sheraton Hotel and the Holiday Inn
"Tailor, sir? Very good tailor for you."
"Copy watch? Copy handbag?"
I can handle it once, but its 10...15...20 times in a 100 meter stretch of road. Expat son and I play the game of how many ask us when we walk through the area. I think the highest was just over 30.
And, the irritating thing about it...they only ask gweilos...they don't ask anyone looking the least bit Asian. GZ Tai Tai actually confronted one of these guys and asked him, why? Turns out, they know the Chinese have access to all that cheap stuff at home. Well, for chrissake, WE are Chinese too! I can get that copy watch or handbag or whatever you have to offer for 1/4 the cost you want to hose me for it...OK?
As a result, TST has become less and less of a place we want to shop any longer. Instead, heading over to Central or to one of the many malls that line the MTR line.
Hong Kong is losing one of its premier shopping districts to these people. The over crowded streets are bad enough, nevertheless having these guys hanging out just waiting for someone to pass by.
And, they act as if its all illegal and pop up to you and ask you on the sly. C'mon...if this was illegal, why aren't the police taking care of this, because there is WAY too much of it to be something that the police really care about.
And...don't even get me going about the Indian & Russian hookers on the side streets around the Holiday Inn...
Hmmm. . . reminds me of two vacation spots. Any large beach town in Mexico for starters: "Hey, Senor' come see our 90 minute presentation, you will get free fishing trip or scuba diving, no obligation to buy, just learn about our timeshare" . .go away!! it's on every block you are approached. The other place is Las Vegas, with the vendors on Las Vegas Blvd clicking their little "Call this naked porno girl at 800-GET-SEXX" card" then they throw them at you if you don't take one. Hubby laughs, while I tell them to all "Get a real job!"
Posted by: Le' Monica | February 24, 2009 at 09:02 PM
THAT reminds me of the time we were in GZ and had just finished a great dinner at our favorite Italian place...while stepping out to get into the car, Tai-Tai and Expat son were trailing behind me when a 'lady' approached me and asked me if I needed a date. At just the moment I was going to tell her, 'Let me ask my wife if its OK,' I was shoved into the car by Tai-Tai and given the riot act all the way home.
Posted by: GZ Expat | February 25, 2009 at 04:40 AM