China has about 400 million internet users, 92% of which use Social Media actively
Every social media user owns on average 2.78 social media accounts
With Twitter and Facebook both blocked by Chinese government, expats needs to be open to different platforms
50% of netizens blog – but popular blogging sites in North America are all blocked
Sure Facebook just hit its 1/2-billion mark, QQ.com hit 1-billion a while ago
233 million mobile internet users on the go
No one cares about Google Page Ranking, it’s all about Baidu ranking, and I am dead bottom of the pile right now on Baidu

If this does not scream social networking in China, it should. Us Americans are so stubborn with the Twitter and Facebooks ways, and almost see the two as interchangeable synonyms to “social media” itself. Having been here in China for a few weeks, I can see not only how popular – but how crucial – it is for individuals and businesses to connect with one another on other not-so-familiar platforms.

On the encouragement of DDB with its staff’s support, I am embarking on a mission to build up my online profile in 3 months, so to prove that an expat can too strike a difference in the online world on this side of the Great Firewall. More importantly, this is to raise awareness around the fact that social media is dynamic, and can take more up more forms than one, or those that stem from the western countries.

Below are my current registered accounts, please follow if you’re on them:

SINA – www.blog.sina.com.cn/loongstoryshort
RenRen – loongstoryshort
Kaixin – loongstoryshort
FanFou – loongstoryshort
Ushi – (under construction)

Like the abundance of people in this country, the number of SNS do not shy of scale either. I am going to start by building on those first! Let’s get social, PRC style.

Video for the curious: [A Look At China and Social Media]

Social Media in China

Feel free to check out my Shanghai pictures thus far here!

Having been in Shanghai for almost 2.5 weeks, I can say that I have finally settled in. Even as a Chinese descent who grew up in HKG for more than a decade, I have been embracing intense cultural shock, even though I am supposedly “home.” During the following weeks, I will share more insights around my rude awakenings, but today marked another wakeup call, one of which I had my Managing Director at DDB Shanghai (RAPP) to thank for, Ross Gearing.

Just like how you would never walk into a stranger’s house  to loosely start criticizing  the way the decor is laid out, or how the furniture pieces are arranged, or even how they treat their pets and children, expats should not arrive in China with the mentality to mold this country to be their own home destinations. China is a different house, and they follow a different set of rules – expats owe this nation of 5000+ years of history fundamental respect, open-mindedness, and humility in understanding that different is not inferior.

Ross eloquently framed this perspective this morning when we  were having a discussion about the social media scene in China, and how it is drastically different from the landscape back in North America. Guilty as charged – I have been stubborn to assert that the North American way trumps that of the Chinese, and with an open heart, I will share with you my learnings here in the Oriental shortly.

Besides, aren’t you supposed to always take off your shoes before entering someone’s house? Well that is very much the standard here in Chinese households, and I am checking my flipflops out for the remainder month.

East Meets West...inappropriately

In the meantime, I have decided to apply to become a beta tester for Facebook. The application only consisted of writing from an assortment of questions, and please see below for my responses. Any feedback would be appreciated. As always, I write from the heart, and hopefully you won’t be offended by my sense of humor. I have been on Facebook since it first “got big” before even university, and have since followed it closely. I would love to meet Zuckerberg and the team at Palo Alto, and even contribute a little to this mega-success-story. It’s a bit lengthy, but I assure you that it is worthwhile:

Q1. What are women looking for in a relationship?

With recent emerging social trends, women in developed countries have been growing more autonomous and independent. Statistics have illustrated that the landscape in which women live in now, is drastically different than that of decades ago. Specifically, women are earning more (at the cost of working longer), subsequently marrying and having kids later (please see http://pewsocialtrends.org/ for figures). These trends trigger further changes in family structures, where the power balance has tipped to allow for fathers to take a more active part in child-raising, while mothers continue to pursue their career ambitions. As for single women around the world, this rising independence has altered the dating arena as well – women are looking for men who can offer emotional support, dare to revolt conventional roles, and open to building trusting relationships.

Women have never had to juggle more, from work deadlines, to yoga classes, to drinks with friends, they are so consumed by expectations in day-to-day lives that they prefer to look for male companions who are more mellow, share enthusiasm in arts and athletics, and can be an emotional pillars for those teary nights. Financial support is no longer a criteria like the last generation, since women are perfectly capable of driving a strong income. Instead, they are on the look-out for men fit to be their confidantes, with whom they can share those precious down-times with, in pure stress-free nirvana. Extra bonus points are also allocated for those suiters who nurture a sense of adventure; who wouldn’t want to go sky-diving every once in a while?

In addition, as more women are engaging in multi-racial relationships, ladies are looking for men who are not stubborn with old conventions in their views of how women should behave. Surely, every girl can dream of a gentleman, but he must be comfortable with the fact that she will be working aggressively, pursuing her own goals, and refusing to depend solely on a man. Women do not reside in kitchens anymore, and they can throw a good hand of football if they choose to; these girls are looking for men who can be advocates of these ideals.

Lastly, in this Internet age, essentially anything that had happened in the past, or is currently evolving in the present, is easily accessible and discoverable. Trust has never been more important in relationships especially when one partner of the equation is likely to be jetsetting around the globe, reducing the amount of time that couples can spend in between commitments. With the rise of more open- and non-monogamous relationships (imagine what a controversy it would have been for Facebook to include this as a relationship status a decade ago), women are seeking for men who are trusting, and willing to build trusting relationships. Trust no longer applies to the extent of taking the kids to school, or making dinner on time for 7pm; trust is now stretched to the extent of knowing that your other half is absolutely in love with you, even though you maybe on the other side of the world, and can only afford to Skype once a week.

Thankfully, this question does not ask for “where to look for good relationships,” for that I am still exploring myself along with most readers out there.

Q2. How do I get over the fear of flying?

The easiest way to answer this question (and most honestly) will be to quote one of the most successful brands in the world – Nike, to “just do it.” They say the best way to confront a fear is to attempt it heads-on, or in this case, to just fly. However, it seems logical to assume that, telling a petrified individual to “just fly,” as he is stepping onto a plane may not necessarily encourage him any further. Let’s instead explore the two core issues stemmed in most people’s fear of flight – the fear of falling or weightlessness, and the fear of death.

Falling is scary feeling indeed, especially for those who haven’t fallen very often, or can’t see where they are falling towards (see my blog on embracing that moment of weightlessness here: http://www.jenloong.com/?p=60). Likewise, most people who are scared of flying, in fact are scared of falling unknowingly out of the night-sky, into miles of free-falling, only to land in a location that they are not certain of. Even for those who trace the sources of their flying fears to technological glitches, pilot negligence and height, are all indirectly scared of factors that can lead towards free-falling. If one was to draw insight from the astronaut training programs at NASA, he can find that every module requires the astronauts to get comfortable with flying. This involves repeated exposure to free-falling, and getting comfortable with the adrenaline behind weightlessness (and even embracing it)! To the average individual without access to state-of-the-art equipment like  the Vomit Comet, I suggest that the reader can try embarking on more roller coaster rides, flight trips, and bungee-jumping. For those who can’t necessarily afford such extravagancies, I recommend jumping more on trampolines, enough so you can become friends with the idea of falling.

The other integral component of fear of flight is definitely attributed to the fear of death. While I do not recommend to “just die” or “die more” like kittens with nine lives that can, I do suggest living everyday to the absolute fullest. Therefore in the event if you were to step on a plane, and your fears were to resume, you can be rest assured that you have at least lived your life to the absolute fullest until that point, and that you have nothing to regret, or to die short of.

For those who are more easily comforted by numbers, just remind yourselves that 3 million passengers on average fly everyday; if 3 million people can do it, you too are no exception! (See http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081215204046AAX3xte)

After all, they do say fight or flight – that means to either fight your fear of flying, or, just fly!

Q3. What’s the secret to throwing a great house-warming?

If I were Oprah, I would recommend hiring Martha Stewart to embellish the apartment with the latest vases, or inviting the late Iron Chef to cook up a never-ending platter of indulgences, or even asking Donald Trump to lend you his apartment (or “crib” as MTV hipsters would say) for your event. Of course, most of us do not have access to such extravagances, and I would even argue that they distract from the cause of a good housewarming event, which is to warm the new house with some of your dearest pals, friendly incentives, a functional setup, and a gracious host.

Since the home is a sacred venue, where most people can relax from day-to-day obligations and enjoy a good night’s rest, it is only fitting to invite those who are of the closest acquaintance. A house-warming party is certainly one occasion where quality trumps quantity. Besides, how could it not be fun, to surround yourself with good friends who care about your well-being, and family members who are eager to meet your circle of pals. One potential risk is that if you are like myself, different friend groups do not necessarily bond right from the start. Therefore, I suggest the following incentives to not only get your friends to show up, but to assure them a grand old time at the event.

First and foremost, people prefer to go to well-managed events, so be sure to stay organized leading up to the event by inviting guests over Facebook, and communicating  ahead of time to assure higher attendance rates. Moreover, be sure to adorn the event with delicious finger foods, ample wine and alcoholic beverages, dance-friendly tunes, fun games (one can never get bored with Twister), and even door prizes. I have found past successes in approaching local bar owners or travel agencies to get small prizes that are fit to entice guests. Moreover, you can also generate awareness in the community by using your housewarming party as a fundraising event for local projects like Habitat for Humanity in the name of good company and great homes. For my next housewarming bash, I intend to paint one wall in the living room with a layer of white IdeaPaint (see www.ideapaint.com), and encourage guests to doodle inspirational quotes on the wall for my motivation in early mornings. It takes “writing on someone’s wall” to the next level, and guests love to know that they have contributed a part to your living space.

For the actual setup of the apartment, be sure to clear out bulky furniture pieces to allow for ample standing and sitting room. Besides, it will make your apartment look even bigger with more open space. Perhaps, you can even consider clearing the den room to only include sofa seats, to allow guests to opt out for this “chill out” room in between dance sessions and loud conversations. A clean bathroom is also mandatory to encourage friends to stay longer, so be sure to do sufficient cleaning ahead of time.

Lastly, and most importantly, play the part of a gracious host. With different crowds of friends, be sure to circulate between groups to make introductions and entertain everyone. The fun part is that you get to go around, catch up with old friends, and take lots of pictures to capture all the incredible moments at the event. On the next morning, you can also send out a thank-you message to all your friends, and encourage them to post pictures to the Events page on Facebook and share picture and video memories from the night before.

As a bonus tip, I recommend professionally developing those pictures at a print-shop, and framing them as decorations around your new home, to always remind yourself of how lucky you are to be surrounded by such dear company, in such a warm home!

Writing on Someone's Wall...literally

Thankfully for old friends from Vancouver who happened to be either traveling or working in HK, I decided to venture out the infamous Lan Kwai Fong clubbing district in the city. Needless to say, it houses a collection of 20 or so bars, in one of the city’s steep slopes embedded in its downtown area. During the day, it’s a delightful walk-through, with open patios and quirky boutiques for mostly expats (or locals who want to be like expats). At night, I was stunned to see it transformed with virtually every bar on the street being filled with guests, who were enthusiastic to meet passer-by’s. Thanks to the hospitality of some incredible local friends, we checked out a few venues: Azure (homebase for rich foreigners, overlooking the city’s nightlights from 3oth floor), Dragon-I (the city’s most esteemed venue, featuring a stringent door policy to only allow the best of the best looking to enter, a giant bird-cage [think Miley Cryus' music video] and creative drinks menu), Prive (annual membership of $250 CDN required for entrance, mostly asian bankers and lawyers), and some other bars.

Needless to say, the scene is epic; with foreigners left, right, and centre, it’s easy to meet people. However, I was uneasy with the amount of 40-year-old men that packed the LKF district. Locals tell me that there is a phrase for “MBA,” in reference to a particular group of men. They don’t have a professional designation, but rather they are men who are “married, but available.” With that atmosphere in mind, I saw so many young girls being bombarded by the richest (and oldest) of men for probably the worst intentions. You wonder where their wives are, and why they are clubbing at the age of 45 years old.

Some neat observations I saw while hopping around were the exclusivity of this city’s bars. Contrary to Vancouver, where a group of friends can easily head out after dinner impromptu for a bit of dancing to sway the night. Here in HK, most bars require table reservations (at the price tag of around $1g CDN, not including drinks) a week before your intended going-out weekend. Moreover, many bars attempt to filter through the crowd that it attracts by enforcing annual memberships, which do not include any perks other than entrance. D-I is the most creative in that it pre-screens every girl at the door, feeds the good-looking with ever-flowing free drinks, and charges most men a cover of $50 CDN to weed out their selective demographic. As the owner mentioned, your crowd is your currency when you’re running a bar business, so they are as reckless as you can imagine in being picky.

Not only does the amount of old men prying on young girls concern me, HK bars don’t seem to enforce much of an age requirement either. I have seen girls who were at most 16 who got into the even most esteemed venues without hassle. Even though the government suggests that bars should ID  patrons, and only allow those who are 18 and over to enter, as soon as you step into any venue, it is evident that this is hardly enforced. Besides, these girls attract filthy amounts of older bankers and lawyers – prime clients to spend copious amounts of money every visit.

Nevertheless, it was an evening filled with much curiousity and great companionship. I though it was quite neat that bar-stamps are all invisible, only seen when placed under black-lights. This eliminates the possibility for anyone trying to rub off stamp ink to friends to avoid lineups. It didn’t hurt that I had only spend 100$ HKG all night (equivalent of $12 CDN since girls get around with cover and drinks). With the night ending around 3:30AM, I don’t know how many more LKF adventures I can embark on during my stay here!

Thank you to all for the wonderful birthday messages, it would have been ever better had I been able to enjoy it with friends back home!

Lovely friends all meeting up in HK

Today, as I was touring the Causeway Bay area, where I used to go for elementary school, I came across even the more bizzare – “da siu yun.” This, in word-for-word translation in English is “beat the small person.” If you’re not confused already, let me explain further. What you do is you approach these elderly ladies that sit under a certain bridge near Times Square. You proceed to give them information (like birthday and name) of the person you would like to curse, and the lady will proceed to write these details on a piece of crafts-paper that is shaped like a person. The lady will then place the paper on a block of concrete, and proceed to slap it really hard with a stick, while humming all sorts of eery voodoo gibberish.

What is even more irritating is that the HK government has deemed these rituals as the city’s most sacred, and these ladies are pretty much prized as “protected heritage.” As such, not only does the government not prohibit the preaching of mindless cursing, it further encourages such practices for the sake of defending “history.” If that’s not a snapshot of showing you how superstitious (and insecure) Asians are, I don’t know what will.

Heritage or Heresy, you decide…

You may wonder where they all come from? Why don’t they go anywhere else, but the same spots week after week? Why would they not be interested to go hiking or watch movies on their much deserved day-offs? I had very much the same questions, so I decided to ask some of them.

Hong Kong has one of the largest markets for domestic helpers. However recently, the number of Philipino maids has in comparison slowly dwindled  with the increasing arrival of Indonesian helpers. I did some math to try to understand the scale of it all:

Hong Kong Population -> 7M people (assuming 3 ppl/family) = 2.3M Families

Maids Population -> 130K Indonesians + 128K Philipino + 3.5K Thais/Sri-Lankans = 259.5K Maids

% of Households with Maids -> 259.5k/2.3M (assuming 1 maid/family) = 12% of Families

With the arrival of new counterparts, the Philipino maids that I spoke to did not feel hostile as I had expected; in fact, they were so welcoming of their Indonesian peers, that they included them at their weekly gatherings. The Philipino’s explained that they were sympathetic towards the Indonesians’ situations, having been estranged foreigners once themselves. These women shared a common bond, understanding the hardship behind leaving their loved ones in pursuit to make ends meet. The Philipino’s were particularly concerned since most of the Indonesians were younger women in their early 20′s, and were ignorant to their legal rights in the new city. In contrast, most Philipino maids were older in their late 50′s, and offered themselves as maternal roles to the new-comers. Many Indonesians have apparently offered to work under the legal minimum wage in desperation for employment. As you can imagine, this attracts just the most twisted of employers; in fact, domestic violence is an issue that most helpers around Asia are concerned with.

Legal minimum wage for maids -> 485 CND$/month

Total # of hours/month -> 3 weeks X 6 days X 15 hours = 270 hours/week *these ladies are working more hours than iBankers!

Hourly wage -> 485/270 = 1.79 $/hour *ABSURD!

At that going rate, and having worked long hours doing mundane chores, and servicing uncourteous bosses, it is understandable why these maids may not want to venture around the city on exotic hikes during their precious day-offs. Playing card games with fellow peers can not only ease their minds, but surely serve as a therapeutic escape from the responsibilities and expectations associated with such damning conditions.

In case if you still don’t believe me…

I woke up at 5:30AM HK time, evidently still trying to conquer remainders of mild jetlag. Struck by crisp sunlight outside, I walked out to the balcony of the apartment that I am staying at Cavendish Heights on Jardines Lookout. It was there that I snapped this picture. Even though the looming clouds in the back may not strike as the perfect National-Geographic shot, this picture tells a story still, like all strong photos should.

For a moment, I will challenge you to imagine if the tall crystal-building in the centre of the photo was not there. Surely that sounds absurd, but that is exactly how I remembered my home. Focus for another minute on the shorter white apartment complexes immediately to the left of that tall building, with about 12 floors max. That was my home for my last few years in HK before I left for North America. (For those of you who know where I lived for university, please draw humor in the irony of me living in white apartment buildings all my life?) That complex was named Bellevue Court, and it was the craddle for all my pre-teen memories.

Before my family left for Vancouver in 1999, the tall building was only in construction. In fact, just the week before my departure, there was a fatal accident that took place at the bottom of that building, and outside my home. It involved a construction worker walking by the base of the project, only to be struck by a block of concrete dangling off of a crane on the cliff. Needless to say, the worker was struck out of luck, and posed as a tramautic imagery for me to arrive home for.

Fast forward almost 10 years, and this crystal-blue building is deemed “Highcliff,” with its project tagline poised to be “up here…the air is RARE.” For the unknowing, this building is a prized gift for the HK architecture circle, having been awarded numerous honors including that of the Museum of Modern Art in NYC for being selected as one of 19 structures as part of its exhibition on Contemporary Tall Buildings. This lavishing apartment building holds state-of-the-art interior decor, fit for the most prestigious residents, and complete with a huge outdoor pool adorned with mosaic tiles and dramatic visuals. Its press package seems to suggest that this is your ultimate hotel treatment, at home!

Despite its alarming height and dashing international presence, I can’t help but to detest its existence. For I remember this building being the obstruction that filled the greenspace outside of my bedroom, or that positioned as a platform for robbers to climb into my family’s apartment that one time on Christmas’s Eve, or that killed an innocent man in my last days in HK, etc. It was the reason, why I looked out of my study room only to find construction workers peeking in, for many years of my elementary days.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and it cannot be more true. While its evident beauty may have drawn my eyes this morning on the balcony, I cannot help to remember the stories that were the foundation of this beauty. Be critical of every picture you scan, and try to spot out any underlying irregularities. Beauty is usually never that simple.

Hello Hong Kong!

I used to be terrified of flying – for the fear of falling indefinitely, or being struck by an inopportune lightning, or being victimized by miscalculated landings.  With memories of flying long-haul flights by myself as a naïve child, I always tried to find comfort in the hostesses’ hospitality and ethic treats.  I think my biggest worry was the possibility of falling out of the sky and having my life to terminate so quickly, and abruptly. I wanted to live my life to every last minute possible. Something about the single moment of weightlessness threatened my sanity and a raging stomach.

Over the years, I am not sure what had happened to my fear of flight; perhaps it had to do with my blessed upbringing and inevitable familiarity, having travelled to multiples metropolitans on various continents. Not only do I look forward to journeys to far-away destinations, I have grown an appetite for adrenaline. From bungee-jumping, to sky-rocketing in Las Vegas, to jumping off waterfalls, I found relief and salvage in that single moment of escape. Weightlessness made me feel invincible and ultimately a champion of my body.

Over the last few years, I had been blessed with many life-changing opportunities, forcing me to grow in ways I would have never otherwise foreseen. Not only had I switched faculties three times, I ventured work opportunities in various cities around North America, shook up my social circles, and attempted various fitness feats. Amidst all, I had lived in the same apartment on Allison Road since Grade 12. Last night, I had packed up and moved out of the place, only to feel that single moment of weightlessness again – but this time less freeing, and more intimidating.

The apartment was my safe haven. Surely I had my fair share of troubles, from barbarian costume parties in first-year to potluck gatherings, but I always held it near to my heart. Throughout the years, I have had boyfriends and best friends to become flat-mates, but I was secretly very protective nonetheless. Though I may not be the most diligent of housekeepers, I knew in my heart that the pad was sacred. It bred my transition to university from York House, cradled me when I balanced school and three jobs, comforted me in episodes of sickness and nourished an environment for creativity and conversations.

My decision to move out was part of a bigger scheme to venture into the next phase of my life. With university nearing to a fruitful end, I am forcing myself to switch out of old routines and adopt new thinking. This has fueled my choice to fly abroad this summer and pursue internships in careers that I have always been too hesitant to pursue.  For example, I don’t even know where I will be staying in Shanghai with virtually no funds to afford rent (help!) Regardless of expectations, I intend to seek some answers to my uncertain life plans through the next few months, and grow outside of my comfort zone as a solo traveler. I t will be a delight to revisit my roots and reconnect with my upbringing, seeking pit some lingering answers to my confused childhood. I want to make friends with those moments of weightlessness again, and embrace them to launch my own ambitions and drive.

Although I have no idea what the end results will look like, or where this end-destination is set to be, I know I have an incredible network of friends to strengthen me. For that, I invite you to follow me the next few months as I pursue my journey to Destination-Not-Sure. Keep the seatbelts fastened, I am sure turbulences will be up ahead, and we will ride this journey out.

Ross Johnson once said “to recognize that ultimate success comes from opportunistic, bold moves which, by definition, cannot be planned.” I even left my planner in Vancouver, let’s see what will come about it.

Tune on mind: