More than just first impressions

Pedestrians briskly crossing a busy intersection amid the iconic trams and double-decker buses of Hong Kong. — N. TRISHA/The Star

STEP into Hong Kong and the first thing a person may notice is that people there seldom smile at strangers.

Pleasantries are rare and even a few seconds of eye contact can feel like a small reward.

Friends warned me about the city’s fast-paced lifestyle and the local people’s reserved nature.

As a Penangite used to chatting with strangers and warm welcomes, it felt odd at first.

My neighbour even told me she disliked Hong Kong because the people seemed unfriendly.

“I am not sure how you will feel, but do not expect them to be nice. They are not like us,” she said the night before my flight.

But I discovered that they are indeed kind people and my experience there was delightful.

Maybe it was because of the smile permanently plastered on my face, or it could be that when they encountered someone cheerful, they softened up too.

Humans are social animals, after all.

I still remember an elderly man making extra space for me in a crowded lift.

Later, he spotted me again on the street and gave me the biggest two-handed wave and smile.

I went into a dim sum restaurant and had trouble with the menu as it did not have photos next to the names of dishes.

Despite the language barrier, the waitress patiently pointed to the ones she thought I might like and kept checking to see if I enjoyed my meal.

Life there does not seem easy.

People dart from one place to another with an urgency in their steps, like they are perpetually late.

My travel buddy felt many Hongkongers kept to themselves.

Hong Kong is often regarded as one of the world’s most walkable cities.

Its five-foot ways are wider than some Penang car lanes.

What I enjoyed most there was walking. My smartwatch recorded between 16,000 and 18,000 steps daily.

Their climate helps. Hong Kong gets only a few months of oppressive heat while much of the year stays pleasantly cool.

Try walking 10,000 steps in Penang and you will likely end up soaked in sweat.

Hong Kong’s public transport system is highly pedestrian-friendly, complemented with thoughtful touches like painted queue markers and bus numbers on the ground at bus stops.

As city folk move briskly through daily routines, walking has become embedded in the culture.

Streets around transport hubs and commercial areas stay constantly alive with pedestrians.

In Penang, driving remains the main mode of transport.

While the LRT Mutiara Line may eventually reshape commuting habits, our climate still limits walkability.

Noon temperatures here often hover around 33°C, but feel closer to 41°C because of the humidity.

Still, Penang makes up for it in other ways, including free bus rides and a slower pace of life.

Perhaps that is the trade-off.

One city moves quickly and efficiently, while the other still makes time to slow down and smile.

I did notice Hongkongers seemed less conscious about personal space.

People walked in tightly packed groups and often brushed into one another without hesitation.

As a Penangite, I realised I had taken our habit of making space for others for granted.

As Penang grows into a larger metropolis, I hope we keep those cordial social norms intact.