LOCAL ESSENTIALS

LOCAL CULTURE

GIFTS

Never give a book or a clock as a gift because a 'book' means losing and a 'clock' means 'paying your last respects' in Cantonese.

BUSINESS ETIQUETTE

When exchanging business cards, hold out your card using both hands, with your name facing towards the person to whom you're giving to. You should also receive a business card with both hands. Business cards are considered to be very important, especially when conducting business in Hong Kong.

SMOKING BAN

Smoking is prohibited in all indoor public places, such as restaurants, bars, karaokes, cinemas, malls and also on public transport carriers, beaches, swimming pools and escalators. Anyone found smoking or carrying a lighted cigarette, cigar or pipe in the designated 'No smoking areas' are liable to a fixed penalty fine of HK$1,500.

TABLE ETIQUETTE

Whenever someone refills your tea cup with tea instead of saying 'thank you', you can simply tap your index and middle fingers on the table next to your tea cup.

TAXI FARE

Always ask for a printed receipt. If the printing device fails to operate the taxi driver should issue a hand-written receipt. Make sure that the taxi license plate number is legible. Taxi meters start at HK$20 for the first 2 kilometres and every subsequent 200 metres or part thereof: (for meter fare below HK$72.50 ) HK$1.50 (for meter fare of 72.50 and above) HK$1.

DID YOU KNOW ?

Big Buddha

This statue is the world's tallest outdoor seated Buddha. Made out of bronze, it's 34 metres tall and weighs 250 tonnes.

Mid-Level Escalator

At 800-metre long, this is the world's longest outdoor covered escalator. It links Des Voeux Road Central near the harbour to Conduit Road in the Mid-Levels.

Tsing Ma Bridge

The 1,377m Tsing Ma Bridge is the world's longest span suspension bridge carrying both road and railway traffic.