Sunday, November 19, 2006
Systems
I chose to observe East Tsim Sha Tsui which is in central Hong Kong and is relentlessly active. Sitting on the steps in front of Jackie Chan’s gym I am surrounded by flashing lights and towering buildings with banners or yelling salespeople vying for my consumer attention. Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) is unlike most of Hong Kong in some ways while maintaining a solid grasp of the overarching facts of the special administrative region. The minorities suddenly become the majority upon entrance into the area. Those of Indian and African dissent are pictured foremost before me, full of activity.
Although to the untrained and impatient eye it may seem that these standing men are simply standing, but I find they are far from slough like. At the very sight of a tourist the whole group descends on the poor soul while combating one another in an attempt to attract the wonderer to dine in one of the many Indian restaurants in TST. The men all gather around pushing “VIP Cards” and offering a five to ten percent discount in exchange for patronage. Eventually one man claims victory and escorts his prize to a meeting with another associate who ushers the hungry body upstairs to the restaurant. This second guide is employed in order to allow the star of the show to return to the street quickly and lasso more business. The entire group, despite the assumed laziness, is in reality a motivated cluster of entrepreneurs.
There are actually two businesses which take place in the exact same place, the restaurants are a first priority and the hawkers are much more vocal in promoting the eatery service but another is still available. Although a close eye is needed, one can certainly find transactions which would not be looked upon fondly by an honest policeman. At the risk of being assumed a stoner myself I will only mention what I observed. Hashish is a major element of commerce in TST and is offered to assumedly wealthy westerners. This system is also quite developed as the bargaining takes place is hushed tones and than the buyer is taken off site to an undisclosed location or told to wait in front of the stairs until the cannabis in question can be retrieved. I cannot fully gather how it is known that these restaurateurs often double as drug dealers although logic would seem to lead to word of mouth. However the marketing is accomplished the transactions are frequent with a system in place for fulfilling the needs of those wishing to obtain such unnecessary substances.
An exceedingly necessary and convenient entity which is also available in TST is the train system. The two train systems which operate in cooperation known as the MTR and the KCR are readily accessible from TST. Much of the success of the MTR and KCR is due to the simultaneous sensation of the octopus card. One can simply add money to the card and then proceed to swipe the card at the entrance of the station in order to buy a ticket. The octopus card is used by 95% of people using public transportation in Hong Kong. Smart cards have been attempted in other markets and failed, not in Hong Kong. Both the trains and smart card are reliant upon each other to function at peak levels. While process of buying train tickets would slow down those hoping to ride the train, the octopus card is now widely accepted by vending machines and convenience stores. This popularity would likely not be enjoyed today without the necessity of owning the card for efficient train use. Public transportation is extensively used in the city and is simply a way of life in Hong Kong. People are often in a hurry as business is such a large part of the culture which means that the trains, as well as the octopus card, must be quick.
As my first time spent observing TST was at night so I decided to make my second examination during daylight areas. The general feel of the locale was familiar and few differences were in place. The avid Indian salesmen were still at work and attempting to lure in those in need to nourishment. The trains were busier but not unrecognizable by any means. Altogether very little changed from one time to another and all the same systems were in place.
While the trains may facilitate, the rush of the business world certainly motivates the busy streets. Tourists also often come to the area to eat and shop. I suppose the Hong Kong economy would be the largest stimulus to the general commotion of the streets with tourism a distant second.
Although to the untrained and impatient eye it may seem that these standing men are simply standing, but I find they are far from slough like. At the very sight of a tourist the whole group descends on the poor soul while combating one another in an attempt to attract the wonderer to dine in one of the many Indian restaurants in TST. The men all gather around pushing “VIP Cards” and offering a five to ten percent discount in exchange for patronage. Eventually one man claims victory and escorts his prize to a meeting with another associate who ushers the hungry body upstairs to the restaurant. This second guide is employed in order to allow the star of the show to return to the street quickly and lasso more business. The entire group, despite the assumed laziness, is in reality a motivated cluster of entrepreneurs.
There are actually two businesses which take place in the exact same place, the restaurants are a first priority and the hawkers are much more vocal in promoting the eatery service but another is still available. Although a close eye is needed, one can certainly find transactions which would not be looked upon fondly by an honest policeman. At the risk of being assumed a stoner myself I will only mention what I observed. Hashish is a major element of commerce in TST and is offered to assumedly wealthy westerners. This system is also quite developed as the bargaining takes place is hushed tones and than the buyer is taken off site to an undisclosed location or told to wait in front of the stairs until the cannabis in question can be retrieved. I cannot fully gather how it is known that these restaurateurs often double as drug dealers although logic would seem to lead to word of mouth. However the marketing is accomplished the transactions are frequent with a system in place for fulfilling the needs of those wishing to obtain such unnecessary substances.
An exceedingly necessary and convenient entity which is also available in TST is the train system. The two train systems which operate in cooperation known as the MTR and the KCR are readily accessible from TST. Much of the success of the MTR and KCR is due to the simultaneous sensation of the octopus card. One can simply add money to the card and then proceed to swipe the card at the entrance of the station in order to buy a ticket. The octopus card is used by 95% of people using public transportation in Hong Kong. Smart cards have been attempted in other markets and failed, not in Hong Kong. Both the trains and smart card are reliant upon each other to function at peak levels. While process of buying train tickets would slow down those hoping to ride the train, the octopus card is now widely accepted by vending machines and convenience stores. This popularity would likely not be enjoyed today without the necessity of owning the card for efficient train use. Public transportation is extensively used in the city and is simply a way of life in Hong Kong. People are often in a hurry as business is such a large part of the culture which means that the trains, as well as the octopus card, must be quick.
As my first time spent observing TST was at night so I decided to make my second examination during daylight areas. The general feel of the locale was familiar and few differences were in place. The avid Indian salesmen were still at work and attempting to lure in those in need to nourishment. The trains were busier but not unrecognizable by any means. Altogether very little changed from one time to another and all the same systems were in place.
While the trains may facilitate, the rush of the business world certainly motivates the busy streets. Tourists also often come to the area to eat and shop. I suppose the Hong Kong economy would be the largest stimulus to the general commotion of the streets with tourism a distant second.
# posted by A. J. Stivers @ 9:13 PM 
