As a newcomer in Hong Kong, there are simply a lot of things to explore in the city. Even as a resident of almost nine years, I admit I have to do a lot of catching up. Should I decide to leave Hong Kong, I have a rough checklist on what to do, where to go, and how to explore the city. But have you ever wondered what are the things I should not miss about Hong Kong?

1. Air and noise pollution
Like everyone else, I think that while factories in mainland China contribute to the city’s pollution problems and is often used as scapegoat, Hong Kong has her own share of the mess. Air pollution so bad Australia once warned its citizens about it and noise pollution quite disturbing that I raised an idea to ban phone conversations even on its subway network. Enough said.

2. Very small dwellings
I don’t mind living in a small home, if the rent is proportionate to the space I’ll live. But after living in eight different homes so far, that hasn’t been the case. Heck, there are even people who live in cages, while others paid for luxury properties in record fashion!

3. High humidity most of the year
It’s not like I am not used to the hot climate back in the Philippines, but Hong Kong’s summers (July to September) are particularly uncharacteristic. High humidity in a crowded street, I hope you get what I mean. That’s why it’s a consolation for Hong Kong people to experience typhoons during these months. And of course that mild winter that locals think they’re in Greenland.

4. Insensitive people who won’t hold the door for you
Hong Kong people are always in a hurry, or are they just sometimes pretending to be in a hurry? Walk into a mall that usually have that “push or pull” glass windows. If you are holding a stroller or a couple of bags on both hands, good luck on finding a kind Samaritan who will hold the door and wait for you. Yes, of course there are good people in Hong Kong. But in many cases, you’ll find those in a hurry or pretend to be busy.

5. Complicated customer service hotlines
Welcome to XXX customer hotline… press 1 for English… press 871 to listen to nonsense information about our company… press 275 to listen to our spammy promotions.. press 153 to speak to a non-English speaking customer support staff.. our customers are always first … sorry, nobody is ready to talk to you now… press hash key/star/ampersand/zero to terminate your call.

6. Poor lift etiquette (also applies on MTR)
It’s not uncommon for people to rush into an elevator, even before I make an exit. Not only that, as they enter the lift, they press the close door button immediately. That’s part of the “rush hour” etiquette to ensure they are not late for work or other appointments. Similar incident happens in the MTR where people enter the train before everyone has alighted. Nobody seems to listen to the announcement “please let passengers exit first”.

7. Bus television
Bus companies claim that advertisers pay them to show the infomercials about slimming, herbal medicines, haircare and products that tell you how to remove dirt from your ears and nose. In return, passenger bus fares are subsidized by becoming captive audience to these irrelevant ads.

8. Smelly taxicabs
Taxi drivers are often seen smoking when their vehicles are not loaded with passengers. As a result, the smell of the interiors gets so bad that you have another reason to wish the journey ends so soon, in addition to keeping the fare to a minimum.

9. People spitting in public
So much for that HK$1,500 fine for spitting, sneezing or littering in public. People still do it. In fairness it’s really hard to catch them spitting on the gully, garbage bins or in the pavement. But when the scare of H1N1 or SARS is announced, the same people rush to dispensaries to buy face masks. Other despicable public acts include cutting of toe nails in the MTR and going out without brushing teeth (when you come across the crowded MTR in the morning and face a person with bad breath, you’ll know) or without even trying to hide from the public that they skipped the shower.

10. Bad TV shows
TV shows in Hong Kong’s local channels are bad enough that it’s hard to resist the offer of cable TVs to provide home entertainment. Maybe they’re not my type but fine dining, luxury properties and classical music are not expected to be shown on prime time. Not to mention a reality show that’s two years old. Not that there’s enough time for everyone to watch television shows anyway.