愛爾蘭出生的華人的網上日誌
Being overseas Chinese, you always get the pressure to do the very best (even though most of the time, it is ok to do your best! Thanx dad, mom!). But you hear about Li Ka-Shing and his son. Does not really help when you have the Lee surname as well. I know money is not everything, but sometimes it feels like it does. That it is obligatory to earn alot of money. I can be hypocritical depending on my mood. But I am rather frustrated at the moment, but that is just a personal issue. Has anyone notice that Chinese people always have to show a bit of power and money? Is it ingrained into our culture? And it really sickens me that lots of girls in HK are throwing themselves at wealthy men, just for money sake. I know it happens everywhere around the globe, but you just hear these stories from the news, ok gossipy news. And people talking about it. 90% of the female cantopop stars can't sing, and it is not talent that brought them up there to the top, is it? And what about the scandalous Miss HK competitions. It can go on and on... What is it with the LV, your Armani's, Rolexes etc...? Even people from mainland China are going to HK to purchase these designer items. Anyway, all this from this one article I came across:
Li Ka-shing and Richard bookend SAR's rich list
Hi YK and all the others,
first at all I have to excuse for my crap English, because I am not a IBC, but a GBC (Germany Bron Chinese lor!).
Yeah, YK, we've already known each other personally. Ok, we haven't see each other until now., but latest this summer... But that is antoher issue.
Alright, about the topic money and the Chinese, I think you are quite right with your observation. It is true that money is important (in general, there are always exceptions) for (HK-)Chinese. I think it is most important to know for what "we" or the people earn the money. I know many traditional Chinese (from Vietman, Malaysia, HK, Taiwan..), their highest priority have always been their family. Therefore they earn the money for their family. Not for the purpose, that the children the spent a lot, no no. I think rather for the security of the family and a better education of the chidren. I appreciate it. I think that differ the Chinese from the others.
Please don't missunderstand me, I am not trying to defend the Chinese. Me as well, it sickens me, to see those people with LV bags and Armani suit. I think those people don't understand something: what the money is good for. I read in an article, that in Japan quite many teenager girls even prostitute themselves for buying LV-bags. Is that not crazy? Thank's god that is not really common in HK. I think there are always and everywhere people who are mentally unstable in a high develop society, regardless which race, which country in Japan, in HongKong, in Írland or Germany. Probably the appearances of them are different, I mean localized. In Japan or HK they appear with LV-bags, in Germany they lost their orientation or drink far too much. Be honestly, I believe there are more abnormal people than normal people on the world, but that is another issue, and not pc(political correct).
Right, about Li-Ka-shing, actually I quite like this guy, not only because he is rich. Far more because of his cleverness, his attitude and his donation for underdevelop parts in China. You know he once indirectly criticised his young son, by saying one should know what for the money is good. And he also taught his sons not to wear Rolex. Did you know, they actually wear cheap platic watches from casio? Of course, Li Ka-Shing is also not a saint. you might know the scandal with his wife. In general he is very often criticised in by people and the media in HK, for his business behaviour.
At he end, this is the first time I really read some article in detail from this page. I find it really cool, and I appreciate YK put that much effort into it.
Bye-Bye
Joe/ManKit
ps: I always thought that all the HK-people are in UK, and no(HK-)body went to Ireland, but it seems there are some. How many "of us" are there?
Posted by: Joe on March 4, 2003 10:42 AMI do not have anything against Li Ka-Shing. Should have mentioned that. I know that he started off from nothing (making plastic flowers), and worked hard to get where he is today. I sort of admire his younger son (can't remember his name off the top of my head), but he does not rely on his dad. He gets support himself on his business ventures. Now that is hard to beat!
But materialism starts off with, 'great I get my first new designer watch' and before you know it, you are comparing everyone to you. But for me, here in Ireland, there are instances of that occuring, especially amongst women. Don't get me wrong, some men like to boast as well, through fancy cars, and big houses and their expensive watches. What my dad and mom always says "If you don't have a big enough head, don't wear such a large hat!".
But earning lots of money for a stable family foundation and the security of family's future, or /and your own retirement is fine. I am more aiming at the aspects of earning more money to show off money. And as I said, that was how I felt when I first read the article.
And one last thing about HK Chinese in Ireland... Yup,there are plenty of them from HK, escpecially from the New Territories.
Maybe more articles will arise out of this! Watch this space...