From: ystan@fawlty10.eng.monash.edu.au (Mr YS Tan)
Subject: Re: How to tell if he/she is from HK?
Organization: Monash University, Melb., Australia.
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1992 04:51:18 GMT

eln235s@lindblat.cc.monash.edu.au (Mr H Hui) writes:

>william@natimuk.acci.com.au (William Lo) writes:

>>In article <9225315.11483@mulga.cs.mu.OZ.AU> dht@cs.mu.OZ.AU (Joyous Dave baby) writes:
>>>OK, this is my contribution, I'll probably get flamed for stereotyping,
>>>but isn't this trend all about stereotyping?????  :-)
>>	** It is. Quite probably gonna get cursed, too. Take care!
>>	   Me, too... 
>I'd like to join you people!

>>>You know someone is from Malaysia (Malaysian Chinese) if:
>>>- they say "soon ma" when they actually mean "all"
>>>- they say "lah" at the end of EVERY sentence!!!!  :-)
>>	** They've got addicted to those obviously. Essentially
>>	   very creative people. Nothing's bad however.

	FYI, it's "soo ma", not "soon ma", and it comes from the 
MALAY word "semua" which means "all". "Lah" is also a MALAY word.
It is actually a suffix. Just like HKers, usually ladies, like to use
"leh" all the time. Anyway, L'm proud of my "lah"-lah.

>I RECKON HK students are more creative and a better learner. For
			  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Hump, you sound very "Chee Dai" (self big) here and over generalised, 
which contradicts your next sentence, ie "some can mimic ...."; not
"all".

>example, some can mimic and even pick up their lovely accent.
>Besides, Malaysians have their special diction when speaking Cantonese.
> 
>>>- they speak better English (than HKers) but with a funny accent
>>	** Not some Malaysian Chinese. But both have the same lovely 
>>	   Malaysian accent.
>People from Singapore speak nearly in the same lovely accent, maybe,
>even more lovely, ie. more "lah".

>> 	Another noticable one: they like saying "DANK-YOU" rather than 
>>	"THANK-YOU". Every word spoken is melodised - from a lower
>>	to a higher tone.
>Compare : They say - "tree" for "three"
>		     "trow" for "throw"
>          We say   - "free" for "three"
>                     "frow" or "fow" for "throw"
>However, there are always exceptions.

>>>You know someone is from Mainland China if:
>>>- they wear glasses that's BLACK, and very un-stylish
>>	** Those thicky-sticky glasses are quite stylish actually.
>>>- they look and act generally depressed most of the time
>>	** Rarely have a sense of humour. Seldom smile much less laugh.
>>	   Very hard-working(the busiest all the time)
>>	   Always languish you never know why. 
>>	   All sensitive to being called "comrade", they all prefer
>>	   "mister" or something else  
>They love the black fast runner from PRC, too. This kind of shoes goes
>well with virtually any kind of wear for them -- shoes for all seasons.

	They wear suit with sport shoes.

>[I have not idea about Taiwanese.]

>>>You know someone is from Hong Kong if:
>>>- they dress stylish
>>	** Seem to be doing fashion shows(not just gals)!
>>	   Often get well-dressed! Even on campus!  
>>>- they walk VERY fast
>>>- they are always the first ones to get up when the tram is approaching
>>>  their destination
>>>- they go out (dinner/nightclubs) all the time
>>	** Often speak in very "colourful" language they've learned from
>>	   home regardless of whom they're talking to.  
>>	   Often eat the best, drink the best! Check out their motto:
>>	   "Buy the best, then pay the rest!"(Originally Cantonese)

	Their spoken English, or rather HK-English, is very unique. They 
emphasize some tone on a certain part of each word, in particular nouns &
adjectives. For my first encounter with HKers, I thought they are 
reading poetries. Amazing ! In HK movies, I don't think the actor/actress
ever speak like that.

>These make the world less boring! 
	Hump, why then are you always complaining that it's so bored in
Monash ...???  :-)

>-- 
>------------------------------------------------------------------
>Humphrey Hui                      :  Have you taken a risk lately?
>HHUI@basil.eng.monash.edu.au      :  Life is boring without risk!
>                                  :  And, legends can't live long!

Cheers,
YS