I am starting to plan my travel trip and I will spend a majority of time in either HK or Singapore. I am looking to possibly move there when I finish my PhD but would like to take a bit of a working vacation to see how it suits me.
That said I was hoping people might give me some of there experiences and opinions on HK and Singapore. I fully expect some generalizations here and don't mind -- hopefully this wont upset too many people. Funny thing about the brain: it is BUILT for generalizations. What I am interested in are the specific cultural differences that I may encounter -- just "in the air" as it were. As a Canadian I notice distinct culutral differences between Canadians and Americans -- of course it would be a generalization to say Canadians are polite and friendly and americans are rude an obnoxious -- I know lots of Canadians who are the latter, and Americans who are the former -- never the less I do get the general feeling that Canadians are more polite and friendly, and this is the kind of think I am interested in hearing. If you are going to generalize, I guess so as to not start a flame war, say it with some tact at least. ie, insead of saying Americans are rude, one might say canadians are more polite -- see what I mean? Don't want to step on any toes, but I do want the hands on experiences.
As well how would foreigners be treated in HK in comparison? Since english seems to be widespread in Sinagpore would that make the adjustment easier or do most people speak english in HK as well? Also if anyone has any experience in academica in either I would love to hear from you.
Thanks guys (and girls)!
-Rob