Hong Kong Living February 2021

DINING | WINNERS | DATING | ELEVATORS

hongkongliving.com

Reservoir resurrection Bishop Hill to be restored

FEB 2021 The Hon g Kong hi king bucket li st

Family ties

Feel the love

mixing business and family

The ultimate Valentine’s Day guide

Going gaga You voted, we counted. A special Parent & Baby Awards guide for the brands taking the parenting world by storm

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CONTENT S — 0 2 / 2 1

16 COVER STORY

We reveal the results of our Parent & Baby Awards

4 CONTRIBUTORS

15 Local

6 SNAPPED

23 DINING

8 PLANNER

26 BIG DAY OUT

10 NEWS

30 MUST HAVES

Meet the team

Life on Hong Kong Island

What’s on this February

Local news you need to know about

13 FIVE MINUTES WITH

32 HOROSCOPES

Bishop Hill reservoir restored

What do the stars hold for you this month?

33 PETS

Spread the love this Valentine’s Day

Dr Pauline shares her ox-traordinary facts

35 HONG KONG DATING

The Hong Kong hiking bucket list

Celebrate the Year of The Ox with these treats

Valentina Tudose on keeping your expectations in check

36 BACKPAGE

Nury Vittachi lightens the mood

Eric Ho, co-founder of GINYU Design

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66 26 88

26 30

“Behind every young child who believes in himself is a parent who believed first” ~ Matthew Jacobson

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EDITOR’S LETTER Kung Hei Fat Choy, welcome to the Year of The Ox. While this year’s festivities may be a little quieter than usual there is still plenty going on around town.

This month we introduced our first-ever Parent & Baby Awards. We understand that becoming a parent can be overwhelming so we asked our knowledgeable mums around town to share their favourite brands and products to make things a little easier. See who got your vote on page 16.

We sat down with Eric Fung, jewellery designer and co-founder of GINYU Design this month to talk about what traditional elements mean during the Lunar New Year (page 13) and if you’re looking for the perfect present, our gift guide (page 30) has you covered.

With all the Chinese New Year celebrations going on it might be easy to forget about Valentine’s Day, ditch the romantic dinner and opt for a lunch or afternoon tea instead, with our roundup of the best deals in town (page 24).

Wishing you a prosperous Year of The Ox.

Editorial Editor-in-chief Nicole Slater, nicole@hongkongliving.com Contributing Editor Gemma Shaw, gemma@hongkongliving.com Digital Editor Ching Yuen, ching@hongkongliving.com Dining Editor Amber Lai, amber@hongkongliving.com

Design Graphic Designer Yankee Tsang, yankee@hongkongliving.com Vicky Lam, vicky@hongkongliving.com

Sales & Marketing Director of Content Hilda Chan, hilda@hongkongliving.com Sales and Partnership Manager Debbie Ky, debbie@hongkongliving.com Elaine Li, elaine@hongkongliving.com Circulation Manager Pranali Gupta, pranali@hongkongliving.com

Publisher Matt Eaton, matt@hongkongliving.com

Things we love

Founding Director Tom Hilditch, tom@hongkongliving.com

Contact us Editorial: 2776 2773 | Advertising: 2776 2772 Published by Hong Kong Living Ltd, L1 Kai Wong Commercial Building, 222 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong Printer Apex Print Limited, 11-13 Dai Kwai Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, Tai Po, Hong Kong

hongkongliving.com

Pampered pets

The Upper House has collaborated with Central based Tiki cocktail bar Honi Honi for its latest collaboration, The Maka Hiki Lounge. From now until May 31, the pop-up will serve Tiki themed cocktails and bar snacks that guests can enjoy on the hotel’s lawn area from 8am. thehousecollective.com

Dogs can now enjoy a bar experience at the W Hong Kong’s newly opened WOOFBAR. Opened in collaboration with popular pet shop WhiskersNPaws, the bar offers pet-friendly cocktails, snacks and even a DJ to give you and your furry friend a warm welcome. w-hongkong.com

Covid-19 update

As Hong Kong Living goes to print we have done our best to keep our content as accurate and up-to-date as possible, but life under Covid-19 regulations means things tend to change, often from day-to-day. Please check with local businesses for operation hours and services available and remember, stay safe.

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@hongkongliving @hongkongliving852

HONG KONG hongkongliving.com Hong Kong Living Magazine is published by Hong Kong Living Ltd. This magazine is published on the understanding that the publishers, advertisers, contributors and their employees are not responsible for the results of any actions, errors and omissions taken on the basis of information contained in this publication. The publisher, advertisers, contributors and their employees expressly disclaim all and any liability to any person, whether a reader of this publication or not, in respect of any action or omission by this publication. Hong Kong Living Ltd cannot be held responsible for any errors or inaccuracies provided by advertisers or contributors. The views herein are not necessarily shared by the staff or publishers. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any way, part or format without written permission from the publisher.

Photo crdit: Karin Bremer

talk@hongkongliving.com

Tropical cocktails

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CONTRIBUTORS

Valentina Tudose

Letao Wang

Certified relationship coach and clinical hypnotherapist Valentina Tudose, shares her advice on reasonable expectations in our monthly dating column.

Founder of the Healing Kingdom, Letao Wang has been practising professional astrology and spiritual counselling in Hong Kong for over seven years.

He reveals what’s in store for each sign this month in our horoscope section.

Eric Fung Self taught jewellery designer, Eric Fung handcrafted his very first ring at just 12-years-old, now he is the co-founder of GINYU Design, a luxury jewellery brand focusing on traditional chinese elements. He shares his journey in this month’s five minutes with interview.

Karin Bremer Dutch-Australian photographer Karin runs photography company Karin Bremer Photography offering a range of photography services including family portraits, events and commercial product services.

This month she shot our family friendly cover at Maggie & Rose in Causeway Bay. karinbremer.com

JOYCE LAU Nury Vittachi Nury Vittachi is the award-winning Hong Kong-based author of more than 40 books, several of which have been published internationally in multiple languages. His journalism has appeared in more than a dozen publications, including The New York Times and Reader’s Digest. nury@vittachi.com

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After the birth of her daughter Pia, Joyce Lau went looking for organic bedding to help ease the irritation of her daughter’s eczema and created bamboo bedding brand, Naked Lab. She celebrates her Hong Kong Living Parent & Baby award win in our cover story.

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PEOPLE

Out and about in Soho

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SNAPPED

Behind the scenes of our cover photoshoot

Hong Kong Living’s weekend pop-up hongkongliving.com | 7

PLANNER

Mark your calendars for these February events hidden treasures at this Discovery Bay Sunday market, host by Handmade Hong Kong. 11am6pm. Free. handmadehongkong.com

FEB 11

Pre-Valentine’s Day Networking Dress up and bring your friends to celebrate with the beautiful city views at the harbour view bar and restaurant. Ages 18 and above. 6:3011:55pm. $100. 30/F, 1 One Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. aqua.com.hk

FEB 14

Valentine’s Day Love is in the air. Don’t forget to buy some roses

FEB 15

Spring Race Postponed in 2020, this year’s spring race will take you around Kowloon Reservoir in a 14km solo race. 9am. $250. Kowloon Reservoir BBQ Site. xterace.com

FEB 12-15

Chinese New Year Kung Hei Fat Choy! Celebrate the Year of The Ox with family, food and lai see. Unfortunately this year’s firework show and New Year Parade have been cancelled due to the on-going pandemic.

Go for a celebratory lunch or afternoon tea and enjoy the long weekend.

UNTIL MAR 31

CMHK Hiking Festival Take on a 5G technology-integrated hiking challenge and have the chance to win exciting prizes including an iPhone 12 and Samsung Galaxy Note 20. Free. Location and times vary. wewalk.hk

work in the newly opened Repulse Bay art gallery, Artspace K. Free. G105-106, The Repulse Bay, 109 Repulse Bay Road. artspacek.org

FEB 4

Hong Kong Living Parent & Baby Awards ceremony Enjoy an afternoon of tea, free-flow wine and chats with Expat Parent Editor Gemma Shaw, while celebrating the winners of our first Parent & Baby Awards. 4-5:30pm. $388. Maggie & Rose, Shop 308 & 311, 3/F, Lee Garden Two, Causeway Bay. hongkongliving.com/shop

FEB 4

Shrewsbury VIP Digital Campus Tour

UNTIL FEB 21

Explore Shrewsbury’s campus in Tseung Kwan O from the comfort of your own home via Zoom.

10am. Free. shrewsbury.edu.hk

Taiwanese artist Hung Yi, is debuting her recent

FEB 7

Winter Joy Exhibition

Discovery Bay Chinese New Year Market Shop from independent vendors and discover

FEB 20

Free Drinks at 99 Bottles Get your drinking hat on as 99 Bottles is giving away 999 free drinks to celebrate its third anniversary. First come first served. Free. 4pm.

59A, Peel Street, Central.

FEB 22

Chamber Music Series The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra presents Rapturous Russian Quartets: String Quartet.

Suitable for ages six and above. $200. Tai Kwun JC Cube, Central. urbtix.hk

FEB 25 - MAR 13 Redemption Room

Back in town with an immersive online thriller show, Secret Theater will showcase its most recent performance Redemption Room via Zoom.

Times varied. $155. secrettheatres.com

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WHAT’S ON

Book Now MAR 19-20

30-Hour Famine The annual famine event will take place virtually this year with a theme of Heated Hunger. All funds raised will go to support World Vision’s assistance projects for children and families in Zimbabwe, South Sudan and Somalia.

30hourfamine.org

dog charities Catherine’s Puppies and Sai Kung Stray Friends. 12-5pm. Free. hongkongliving.com/shop

APR 5

HK50 WEST Run across the West of Hong Kong from Shing Mun Reservoir Catchwater across the Maclehose Trail to the Lung Mun Country Trail in a 6km,10km, 25km or 54km race. 6:30am.

From $180. Shing Mun Reservoir Catchwater, Tsuen Wan. actionasiaevents.com

MAR 20

Sai Kung Magazine’s pet-friendly market Shop for goodies and support local

APR 1-12 APR 4

Hong Kong International Film Festival

Race around Aberdeen in a 9km, 12km or 24km trail run. Families are welcome. 9am12pm. $250. Aberdeen Country Park. xte.hk

Celebrate the 45th anniversary of the festival through virtual and in theatre screenings of films celebrating Chinese cinema and local talent.

Times and priced to be announced. hkiff.org.hk

Wild Sunday Hike and Run

Got an event? We can publish the details. Email editorial@hongkongliving.com

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NEWS

MANDARIN ORIENTAL DEBUTS NEW CLUB LOUNGE Mandarin Oriental has introduced a whole new Mandarin Club lounge space this month as well as refreshed dining facilities on the top floors.

The new 6,200 square foot club lounge will be located on the 23rd floor, overlooking Statue Square Garden. The lounge will offer club guests a private check-in and check-out experience along with breakfast, afternoon tea and light snacks throughout the day. When night falls, the club will serve evening canapés served with Champagne, wines, bottled cocktails, house spirits and beer. To celebrate the opening, Mandarin Oriental is offering a range of staycation packages which are available from $1,963. mandarinoriental.com

REDRESS DESIGN AWARDS ARE NOW OPEN The world’s largest sustainable fashion design competition is now open to applicants who are passionate about design and sustainability.

Applicants must submit three ready-to-wear outfit sketches to the competition by March 15.

Finalists will have the opportunity to debut one of their designs at the Grand Final fashion show and stand a chance of winning from a prize pot of $80,000. All finalists and semi-finalists will receive educational and career enhancing prizes. redressdesignaward.com

SHARK-FREE WEDDINGS The Hong Kong Shark Foundation (HKSF) has joined forces with online wedding planner, Bride Union to keep shark fins out of weddings. As a symbol of luxury, shark fin soup had long been a staple in Chinese wedding banquets.

The delicacy used to be only available for the upper class and was a reflection of a family’s wealth and affluence. By collaborating with leading hotel venues including The Peninsula and Ritz-Carlton, restaurants and various

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wedding service providers, HKSF believes more people will remove the dish from their menus.

Couples who go shark-free will receive exclusive discounts and offers from vendors ranging from bridal make-up and gowns to venue decorations. If you are planning a wedding or want to see who’s involved HKSF and Bride Union will be running a virtual wedding fair to promote shark-free weddings until February 2 at hksharkfoundation.org.

IN YOUR BACKYARD

ELVIS HAS LEFT THE BUILDING Lan Kwai Fong’s very own Elvis Presley, Kwok Lam sadly passed away from kidney failure on December 29 at the age of 68. The popular Elvis Presley impersonator was known for serenading partygoers on the party street on Friday and Saturday nights, donning a bejewelled white suit and performing classic hits from the deceased

King of Rock and Roll.

Allan Zeman, chairman of Lan Kwai Fong, described him as a larger than life character who will be sorely missed. “I was sad and shocked to hear of his passing. We got used to seeing him entertaining everyone around Lan Kwai Fong’s bars and restaurants. He was one of those irreplaceable characters who will be sorely missed by all,” said Zeman. Unfortunately, Lam wasn’t able to perform his last set as Elvis, due to the recent Covid-19 restrictions. It’s safe to say Lan Kwai Fong has lost a legend.

A NEW ERA FOR OCEAN PARK The Hong Kong Government has announced its proposed plans for transforming Ocean Park into a leisure destination. Edward Yau, The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development believes that the waterfront park should put more focus on its education and conservation efforts.“The park should steer away from the conventional development model of theme parks, cut down on facilities and related expenses which are not costeffective,” said Yau. Part of Ocean Park’s proposed transformation includes nonticketed entry and entertainment zones for

guests to visit anytime they wish. “The operation mode of the park will change by outsourcing part of its park area or facilities for development and operation to become financially sustainable in the long run,” said Yau. Having struggled financially over the past few years, Ocean Park received a loan of $5.4 billion from the Hong Kong Government last year to support the operation of Ocean Park over a twelve month period and hopes to increase its traffic once parks are allowed to open again. oceanpark.com.hk

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FIVE MINUTES WITH

Five minutes with Eric Fung The co-founder of GINYU Design speaks to Nicole Slater about family traditions As a self taught jewellery designer, Eric Fung handcrafted his very first ring at the age of 12, which he still keeps pride-of-place on his desk today.

After studying architecture in school, Fung started his career in a manufacturing plant as a project engineer and quality manager, but soon found his true calling in design.

Along with his sister Rosanna, Fung founded GINYU Design in 2018. The company started out as an heirloom homeware brand selling golden bowls and chopsticks, but the pair soon found their passion for jewellery and rebranded.

“The GIN in our name stands for present and implies modern day presentation applied to oriental elegance; while the YU means hard metal or treasure. These words resonate with our brands provenance and philosophy,” says Fung.

While working alongside family can prove challenging for some, Fung takes a different approach,“the key to working efficiently together is knowing each other’s strengths and trusting each other’s decisions,” Fung says.

Fung and his sister strongly believe in following their heart when it comes to jewellery design, “we design products based on what we like first and foremost and find a balance between our brand values, style and market trends. We want to share these happy and memorable moments in our designs,” says Fung.

The jewellery design industry is becoming increasingly popular with many independent businesses popping up across Hong Kong. Fung shares some advice for those inspired to start. “At a time when jewellery designs seem so ubiquitous or homogenous, we believe a brand’s story and target audience needs to be discussed clearly in the objective,” Fung says.

GINYU Design’s story is one of tradition and family ties. By featuring natural elements like bamboo and spring blossoms in his designs, Fung aims to capture and preserve time-honored family traditions from his grandfather, which are sadly being erased.

Traditional touches are especially important around the Lunar New Year, auspicious bamboo plants are a big element during the season, so the Bamboo Groove collection is always a top seller.

To celebrate the festive occasion, the jewellery brand has partnered with a macau based florist, The Grey Green to offer a free

bouquet with every purchase during the New Year period. For more information visit ginyudesign.com

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LOCAL

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LOCAL

Bishop Hill reservoir restored The public called for reservation of the century-old underground reservoir in Sham Shui Po. Katrina Lau reports A Romanesque underground reservoir was discovered late last year, while undergoing a demolition project by the Water Supplies Department. The reservoir, known as Bishop Hill’s current site, was planned to be taken down and repurposed for water supply usage.

Located near Shek Kip Mei in Sham Shui Po, the Bishop Hill service reservoir was first recorded in 1904. The cavernous chamber features a 4,300 square feet underground area with hundreds of brick pillars, water pipes and stylistic arches.

The dismantling of the reservoir didn’t catch any attention until images online sparked publicity. Citizens alerted district councillors while hikers and photographers flocked to the site for photos.

The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors along with several members of the Antiquities Advisory Board urged officials to engage the public on preservation plans and recover the demolished parts. Inside the building site, metal fences and pieces of broken brick were found.

Most did not know what the reservoir looked like underneath the surface and the latest images on social media unveiled the fascinating architecture and preservation sentiments. Both the public and local historians voiced their concern for the latest unearthed relic, stating that Bishop Hill reservoir is a one-of-a-kind discovery.

While reservoirs in Hong Kong were built after World War II, a water pipe in the cistern was found to be labelled ‘1909’, marking the reservoir as a pre-war artefact.

Amidst the public’s objections, the Water Supplies Department has called off the demolition. Meanwhile, officials have also started recovering structures. The Antiquities and Monuments Office has sent staff to the site for preliminary inspection and assessment in order to explore preservation plans.

Paul Chu Hoi-shan, an architect and member of the Antiquities Advisory Board, says “it’s a positive thing that people are concerned about antiquities and monuments in our city. Such valuable monuments should

not be left unseen and destructed untold.”

Conservationists and heritage-minded citizens hope that the government will come up with a transparent plan to preserve the monumental site. As further stabilisation work is needed before the site can be opened to the public. The department warns citizens to not trespass due to safety reasons.

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COVER STORY

Going gaga over our winners You voted, we counted. Presenting the first-ever Parent & Baby Awards, celebrating the brands and people who make parenting a breeze, as Gemma Shaw discovers Life as a new parent is overwhelming. Honestly, I didn’t understand the full extent of this statement until I actually became a parent. What to buy, what to not buy, when to wean, how to get them to sleep… There are a million different questions that new parents ask themselves, and a million different answers.

That’s why we’ve created Hong Kong’s very first Parent & Baby Awards with the aim of celebrating the brands that make parenting a little bit easier. The following pages celebrate the winners of 16 categories voted for online by our readers.

Best sustainable brand Retykle This much-loved online store founded by Hong Kong expat Sarah Garner focuses on buying and selling high-end, second hand children’s clothing from top brands including Bonpoint, Jacadi and Ralph Lauren. After having her first child, Sarah recognised that raising little tykes can be costly and hard on the environment. She opened Asia’s first online trading platform for parents to buy and sell children’s clothes. Shoppers can enjoy up to 90 percent off original clothing prices. Retykle now has a permanent store in Wong Chuk Hang. retykle.com

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COVER STORY

Best private hospital Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong Located in Wong Chuk Hang, Gleneagles offers an incredibly modern and spacious environment for expectant and postpartum mothers to relax and recover. The hospital is well-known for its high-quality, accessible healthcare services as well as transparent pricing. For example, throughout 2020, Gleneagles offered a very popular cappedfee package to provide a solution for parents who didn’t want to take the public route during the pandemic. Gleneagles is also the only private hospital in Hong Kong to join the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative which promotes and supports breastfeeding. gleneagles.hk

Best familyfriendly club Maggie & Rose Dreamt up by Maggie Bolger and Rose Astor back in London in 2006, Maggie & Rose is a modern family private members’ club which

offers a unique and creative space for children to play, in surroundings that appeal to grown ups too. Since its opening, Maggie & Rose has grown to include two Hong Kong locations – Repulse Bay and Causeway Bay. Kids are spoilt for choice with an outdoor play area, movie room, soft play and creative classes which include cooking with real chefs, listening to jazz and getting messy on canvases. hk.maggieandrose.com

Best nursery furniture brand Indigo Kids Home furnishing retailer and interior design service provider Indigo Living has been leading the way in interior trends across Asia and the Middle East for the last 30 years. It’s dedicated children’s line, Indigo Kids offers a range of high-quality, safe, fun and educational furniture, accessories, décor and gifts for children’s bedrooms. indigo-living.com

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COVER STORY

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COVER STORY

Best baby skincare Mustela With 70 years of skincare experience, mums know they are in safe hands with Mustela.

The brand uses natural ingredients such as avocado, olives and plum oil to create its unique range of creams and oils. With a focus on pregnant women and babies, Mustela offers a range of everyday essentials, from nipple cream to shower gel to cater to you and your child’s every need. mustela.hk

Best baby food brand Piccolo British baby food brand Piccolo engages a diverse team of midwives, fitness experts, writers and researches to ensure that their products are always ahead of the game. While the team are huge supporters of home cooking, they realise that there are days when preparing food on-the-go simply isn’t possible, that’s where these organic, nutritionist-approved, super tasty meals and snacks come in. Find them online at Baby Central. mylittlepiccolo.com

Best online retailer Baby Central Baby Central was created by two mums who wanted to spend more time with their babies and less time running around the shops. The online store stocks everything you’ll need for a baby under one roof. As well as clothing

from brands such as Aden + Anais, Love To Dream and Baby Hero, the store stocks books, toys from brands such as Lamaze, maternity wear and a huge range of feeding supplies.

For orders over $450, Baby Central offers same day or next day delivery along with free local shipping to many areas in Hong Kong. babycentral.com.hk

Best sleeping product Naked Lab After her daughter Pia was diagnosed with eczema in 2018, Hong Kong-based founder of Naked Lab, Joyce Lau went on the hunt for organic bedding to help ease her daughter’s skin irritation. Following an unsuccessful search, she decided to take matters into her own hands and hence Naked Lab was born. The company specialises in creating the softest vegan bamboo silk sheets and bedding sets for adults and children. Having welcomed her baby boy last month, this award could not have come at a better time. Congratulations Joyce. nakedlab.me

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COVER STORY

Best baby fashion brand Raph & Remy After spotting a gap in the market for high quality, sustainable baby products, this Singaporeanbased husband and wife duo decided to create their own brand offering personalised premium bamboo baby essentials and gifts including swaddles, headbands and bibs. The brand is extremely environmentally conscious working with leading eco-friendly textile manufacturers in Asia and using only organically grown bamboo.

In 2019, Raph & Remy partnered with global charity The Red Pencil Humanitarian Mission to help provide art therapy to low-income families. raphandremy.com

Out-and-About Gift Set

Best innovative product Cotton Pigs After having her daughter, travel junkie and avid hiker Stephanie Zhu began searching for ways to pack light with a baby-in-tow. She looked for multipurpose, minimalist outfits for her daughter that looked cute. Taking matters into her own hands, Zhu soon created a line of fun, versatile, reservable baby clothing made from the softest organic cotton in hand-picked adorable prints.

With urban parents in mind, the brand has grown and caters to a worldwide market looking for a stylish-yet-minimalist approach to dressing their children. Sizes currently cater for newborn to 48 months. cottonpigs.com

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COVER STORY

Best baby carrier Ergobaby Carrier Omni 360 Baby Carrier With humidity in Hong Kong high most of the year, parents need a carrier that is lightweight, breathable and comfortable. Ergobaby’s Carrier Omni 360 Baby Carrier ticks all these boxes and more, this all-in-one, newborn ready carrier offers all carry positions and is suitable for babies from newborn to 48 months. ergobaby.com

Best baby stroller Silver Cross In 1877, Silver Cross’ founder William Wilson invented the world’s first baby carriage.

Today, Silver Cross is Britain’s oldest nursery brand

and continues to lead the way in nursery furniture and pram design, using traditional methods of supreme quality and craftsmanship. Visit Silver Cross’ flagship store in K11 Musea to browse their range of modern prams, car seats, furniture, babywear and bedding and see the world’s oldest surviving baby carriage, crafted by William Wilson in 1878. silvercrossbaby.com

Best playmat Momomi As a mother of two and a design and brand consultant, Gigi Ng knows a thing or two about entertaining children in style. Her Momomi Soft Touch Tatami Mat has been popular among parents around the world since its launch three years ago. Taking inspiration from the Japanese tatami mat, Ng was able to create a stylish and sophisticated multipurpose playmat. Through close collaboration with local communities, each mat is ethically produced and provides a sustainable income for female artisans. momomijapan.com

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COVER STORY

Best for newborn essentials Bimbo Concept With a background in fashion, Bimbo Concept founder Elaine So-Girardi noticed that Hong Kong was lacking in high quality children’s stores after the birth of her two children. She launched Bimbo Concept in 2018 to fill this void and bring curation of design and high quality products to families with children. Each item is hand selected to ensure it meets the ‘Bimbo Concept’ standard of style, quality and sustainability and a focus on minimal Scandinavian aesthetic. The website is packed with gorgeous, inspiring content and the brand now has three permanent stores in Repulse Bay, Stanley and at K11 Musea in Tsim Sha Tsui. bimboconcept.com

Best postnatal support Matilda International Hospital Matilda nurses and midwives are renowned for their excellent care and tailored approach and this doesn’t stop once mum and baby leave

Best baby accessory Ben & Ellie Nappy Change Clutch Co-founded in 2019 by new mothers Jess DeAngelis and Julie Rout, inspiration hit when they started reflecting on the shortfalls of the countless baby change mats and baby bags they’d tried. Made by mums for mums, their vegan leather nappy change clutch is one of the most stylish and functional baby products on the market. Jess and Julie understand that a lot changes when you have a baby, but you don’t stop being a woman when you become a mum. ⁣benandelliebaby.com

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the hospital. Matilda community midwives offer support to parents and their babies once they are home, guiding parents, offering advice on mum and baby wellbeing, supporting breastfeeding and providing an important link, when needed, to paediatricians, obstetricians and other healthcare professionals. matilda.org

Dining

DINING

Relish

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DINING

An intimate affair

Don’t let restrictions ruin your Valentine’s Day, Amber Lai rounds up the best places bring back the romance

Aria

The Grand Hyatt

Inspired by his favourite aphrodisiac ingredients and his girlfriends laugh, chef Andrea Zamboni has curated a seven-course Italian menu to honour the “land of love”. Stimulate your senses with oyster and champagne jelly to start before choosing a main. The meal is finished with a kick of heat from a chocolate, chilli and raspberry dessert. ariaitalian.com

Nothing says romance more than flowers and The Grand Hyatt has created a floral themed afternoon tea set to celebrate Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day. Complete with rose profiteroles, blueberry and violet cheesecake and a Sakure cherry cake, this set is a truly sweet treat. hyatt.com

The Ritz-Carlton

Fiamma Head up to The Peak and enjoy a romantic lunch on Fiamma’s alfresco patio. You and your loved one can share a five-course tasting menu featuring burrata, risotto and a heart shaped strawberry mousse. Diners will be given a box of house-made chocolate truffles to take home. sandshospitality.com

Partnering with Qeelin, a Chinese fine jewellery brand, The Ritz Carlton is celebrating Valentine’s Day with a Red is for Romance tea set. The set merges Chinese flavours with fine craftsmanship to reach new luxury heights. The hotel is also hosting its 520 I love you staycation for the couples who want a romantic getaway. ritzcarlton.com

Bouchon Ciao Chow There is no cheesier way to show your love then with a heart shaped pizza from Ciao Chow.

The Italian restaurant created a luxurious Be My Gold pizza to mark the occasion. with a bit of luxury. The pizza is topped with some of the world’s most luxurious foods including lobster, caviar and black truffle. ciaochowlkf.com

Paris is known as the city of love, so a meal at the Parisian-inspired bistro, tucked away on Elgin Street is a perfect getaway this Valentine’s Day. Bouchon will host a special Valentine’s Day menu on February 14, featuring five delicious courses and a choice of grilled sea bream, a tender beef fillet or pan-seared duck breast for the main course. sandshospitality.com

Relish Add a personal touch to your romantic celebrations this year with a (semi) home cooked meal, prepped by the professionals.

Relish is offering a four-course menu complete with a beautiful bouquet, Veuve Clicquot and candles to set the mood. Everything comes ready to cook, you just finish it off and take all the credit. relish.com.hk

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NIBBLES

Dining news

Pirata announces plans to open five new restaurants

Ox-traordinary tea

Stay single

Designed by executive chef Rafael Gil, from Netflix’s popular show Chef’s Table and executive pastry chef Baptiste Villefranque, this tea set is sure to give you an Oxtraordinary start to the year. The east meets west menu showcases auspicious ingredients such as an abalone tart and bird’s nest cheesecake to bring luck to diners. $498 for two. w-hongkong.com

In association with the famed CoHee Studio in Yuen Long, For Single is a new Kennedy Town café serving up a unique mixture of single origin coffee and single malt whisky, thus the name For Single. This café has caused quite the buzz online for its daytime and nighttime concept along with its contemporary, sleek oak design and copper tones, which provide the perfect Instagram backdrop.forsinglehk.com

The hospitality group, known for restaurants including The Optimist, TokyoLima and The Pizza Project, has unveiled plans to launch a whopping five new restaurants over the next six months.

The announcement follows a historically bad year for the restaurant industry, but will no doubt come as a much-needed boost for the F&B sector.

“We believe in Hong Kong and are planning to stay and grow here for the long term,” said Pirata Group co-founder and CEO Manuel Palacio. The group’s 2021 opening salvo includes a second location of temakeria and sake bar concept TMK at Wan Chai’s popular Star Street Precinct in February, the opening of its sixth pasta bar, Pici in Kennedy Town in Mary and a new bakery concept, Pane e Latte in Stanley. piratagroup.hk

Smoking hot

Get a brew at Brewed A new Instagram approved coffee shop opened its doors in Sheung Wan last month, with its signature dish french, toast topped with torched marshmallow taking over Instagram. Tucked

away on Hillier Street, the cafe offers classic breakfast style dishes including eggs benedict and the Brewed big breakfast, along with seasonal homemade drinks.

Starting from January 30, Smoke & Barrel will hold a Saturday Pit House cooking class hosted

by Christopher Tuthill and Chris Grare. The meat smoking 101 class will be held on the first and last Saturday of every month and teaches different meat smoking techniques and gives a hands-on cutting experience before guests can slather, massage and season their own meats. The classes run from 10am to 1pm and guests can pick up their smoked meats at 6pm. smokeandbarrelhk.com

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BIG DAY OUT

Your Hong Kon hiking bucket Nicole Slater rounds up the best trails to tackle before hiking season ends

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HIKE TO IT

ng list Lion Rock

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BIG DAY OUT Braemar Hill This short 20-minute hike is perfect for an early morning or late afternoon stroll and offers multiple viewing locations to snap the perfect picture.

Starting from Braemar Hill Bus Terminus, cross the road and pick up the trail from Hau Yuen Path. The trail starts off steep but soon flattens out and is pathed for the majority of the hike. Follow the red ribbons conveniently located along the route and be rewarded with stunning views over Hong Kong Island.

Twin Peaks and Violet Hill If you’re looking for a challenge, Twin Peaks and Violet Hill is the hike for you. Commonly referred to as the Terrible Twins due to its seemingly never-ending series of steps (over 1,000 actually). We strongly advise doing this hike from Parkview to Stanley, rather than in the opposite direction. When you’re halfway up the first peak the visions of Stanley’s restaurants and free flowing cocktails will keep you going.

Photo: Michael Hsu

Mount High West

Lion Rock

Tate’s Cairn

Conquer this rugged ridge to witness the intense sprawl of Kowloon against the scenic backdrop of Hong Kong Island.

The summit stands 495 metres above sea level and takes around two hours to climb to the top, with the path undulating for an hour or so before arriving at the foot of Lion Rock. Keep an eye out for wildlife along the way, as this hike is famous for its monkeys residents.

For those who think The Peak is the most dramatic summit, think again.

Located 583 meters above sea level, Tate’s Cairn offers panoramic views of Kowloon and its surrounds.

Starting from Sha Tin the whole hike should take around four hours.

If you’re feeling daring, you can continue walking to the infamous Kowloon Peak and Suicide Cliff.

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Perched next to Victoria Peak, Mount High West offers sweeping panoramic views of Hong Kong and is a prime spot for watching the sunset. With a summit located 494 metres above ground, this hike is known for its steep incline and the hefty amount of stairs. If you fancy a challenge start your hike from Old Peak Road and walk up to The Peak, or catch a minibus up and join the trail at Lugard Road. There you’ll find a pavilion with narrow steps leading to the top of Mount High West.

HIKE TO IT Sunset Peak Hong Kong’s third highest peak and Lantau’s second highest mountain, Sunset Peak is known for its gorgeous sunset views overlooking the Lantau coastline. The sunsets here are so beautiful, they have even been featured on Cantopop singer Eason Chan’s album Taste the Atmosphere. Be sure to bring along a flashlight since descending from the peak after dark can be dangerous.

Suicide Cliff at Kowloon Peak Standing at 603 metres above sea level, Kowloon Peak offers panoramic views of bustling Victoria Harbour from one direction and serene Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay from the other.

The hike starts with a steep incline up to the summit which takes around an hour. Once there follow the trail down to Suicide Cliff (called so because of its rocky feature which resembles a diving board). Here you’ll find stunning views of Hong Kong island from above.

Please proceed with caution on this hike and remember no photo is worth risking your life.

Dragon’s Back Dragon’s Back took home the prize for Hong Kong’s favourite hike in our Hong Kong Living Awards 2020 and it’s not difficult to see why. Popular with both locals and tourists, beginner or expert, the Dragon’s Back trail boasts beautiful coastal views of Shek O, Tai Long Wan and Tung Lung Island. It is easily accessible from the city which means it gets busy, particularly during weekends. Get there early, or prepare to queue just to get onto the trail.

Sai Wan If you fancy something a bit easier, the walk from Sai Wan Pavilion to Sai Wan Beach is popular amongst visitors and Sai Kung residents. Follow the downhill path which takes around half an hour to get to the beach. For a challenge hike back up the hill upon your return or hop on a speed boat back to Sai Kung Town

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MUST HAVES Gold plated tea caddy $2,788 from Fortnum & Mason fortnumandmason.com

World Explorations Shanghai Lungo coffee $42 per sleeve from Nespresso nespresso.com

Lunar New Year candy trunk $1,088 from Sugarfina sugarfina.com

Year of the Ox chopsticks $1380 from Shanghai Tang shanghaitang.com

Cute ox bracelet set $1,298 from Pandora hk.pandora.net

Lucky charms $388 from Cookie Smiles cookiesmiles.com.hk

Dragon legend bubble stick $80 from Lush hk.lush.com

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Ring in the Ye in style with prod

CNY lip+luminizer set: Lunar New Year edition $428 from Fenty Beauty fentybeauty.com

Greeting card $39 from 852 Prints 852prints.com

Lion dance lai see packet $40 from Lion Rock Press thelionrockpress.com

ear of The Ox these lucky ducts

Lion dance bear $450 from The Peninsula Boutique peninsulaboutique.com/hk

Inspiring gift box $770 from La Maison Du Chocolat lamaisonduchocolat.hk

Chinese New Year double layer hexagon gift box $788 from Venchi venchi.com.hk

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HOROSCOPE

Written in the stars Letao Wang, The Kingdom Healer shares his insights on what the stars hold for you this month AQUARIUS You may feel emotionally and mentally isolated from others, Aquarius. It seems that everyone criticises everything you do and prevents you from expressing yourself freely and enjoying social interactions. However, this is a trap of your mind filled with insecurities, Aquarius.

Use this time to work on your self-esteem and self-confidence.

TAURUS The path to your independence, both financially and emotionally will be clear. You will prioritise freedom in all activities you perform, Taurus.

Therefore, you will not allow any social or family dictates to rule your life. However, keep in mind that eagerness may sometimes beat you in the race. So be careful not to prioritise individual needs over those of the group along the way.

LEO Although you tend to have an outgoing personality, you will need to get away from the hustle and bustle to find yourself. It is not a good time to take on new responsibilities or start new projects. However, you will be able to connect with your intuition and your inner self. Honor your sensitivity and tap into your creativity, they will be your allies in the future.

SCORPIO You will undertake independent projects that promise good fortune. Your ambitious and energetic spirit will be supported by beneficial planetary influences, Scorpio. This will provide a solid foundation for a stable and happy future. If you are looking to buy a new property withyour partner, this is the ideal opportunity to do so.

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PISCES You are going to excel in every single task you set out to do, Pisces. You will need to assert your personality, so activities related to power and leadership will be welcome. Your sensitivity and empathy will connect you with new people. Your charm and loving personality are contagious and everyone will want to be by your side. Enjoy your popularity to the fullest.

GEMINI Sensitivity and intuition will guide your actions and prospects during this time. Creative or artistic pursuits will bring you much satisfaction, as you are connected to a higher vision of life.

However, be careful not to project a confused and distorted image of your own reality onto others. Try to detach yourself from the rest when emotions get the better of you, Gemini.

VIRGO You may feel shy or insecure about expressing your ideas at this time Virgo. However, the astral configuration encourages you to trust yourself and reveal who you are, with no fear of being different from others. Your originality and creativity will captivate everyone around you, promising new projects that will fulfill you in the future.

SAGITTARIUS You may feel disoriented during this time, but it is because you are going through a paradigm shift. A cycle in your life has ended, so it will be necessary to leave behind old patterns.

It is time to release the shackles of the past and focus fully on your future. You may not know exactly how to continue, but your mental creativity will light the way forward.

thehealingkingdom.com

ARIES You will have a strong need to design the right structure for your professional goals.

These new challenges are exciting and you will have enough determination to overcome all the obstacles in your way, Aries. However, beware of any authoritarian attitudes you may have towards your colleagues. Remember that the end does not justify the means.

CANCER The planetary energies encourage you to achieve professional and financial goals, Cancer. Your great perseverance, objectivity and self-confidence will lead you to success.

Therefore, trust in your wisdom and expertise to undertake new projects. Don’t forget to aim high because you’re ready for it.

LIBRA Your romantic relationships will take an unexpected turn, Libra. You are going to look for new ways to express your affections. New people will become part of your life, although it will feel like you already know their souls.

However, beware of excessive control and power struggles. Keep in mind that you must learn about freedom in your relationships during this period of time.

CAPRICORN Conventional methods provide you with security and comfort. However, changes are imminent, Capricorn and resisting them will only generate more suffering. Therefore, it’s time to venture into new programmes and jump into the unknown. Far from being a negative experience, this is the path that will bring you closer to your dreams.

PETS

Ask a vet...

Dr Pauline Taylor shares her knowledge on the animal of the year As we enter the Year of The Ox, I thought I would share some interesting facts about them.

I worked with ox and cattle for many years back in Scotland. As a kid growing up cows were always around me. I would see those big lumbering beasts from my bedroom window grazing in all kinds of weather with their big, beautiful eyes watching each other and anything else that came near. I used to round up the lactating cows and bring them into the milking parlour or feed hay to the herd during winter when grass was short.

Cattle Is the word for certain mammals that belong to the genus Bos. This includes ox, yaks, buffalo, steers, bulls, cows, heifers, calves. Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated hoofed animals and

live in a herd which usually comprises of one adult male, a bull and his harem of cows which vary in numbers. Domestic cattle are descendants of wild oxen known as aurochs who lived in SE Turkey around 10,500 years ago. It is estimated that 1.4 billion cattle exist

Fun facts Lifespan: 18-22 years Gestation period: 283 days Scientific name: Bos taurus Speed: 40 km/h (Maximum) Daily sleep: 4 hours Mass: Male: 1,100 kg (Adult, Bull), Female: 720 kg (Adult, Cow)

Dr Pauline, Pets Central veterinarian today. Cows love to be petted, stroked and scratched behind the ears. They are very loving and welcome interactions with kind people. Studies show that by naming a cow she will produce more milk.

A cow has 32 teeth and will chew about 50 times in a minute, making their jaws move about 40,000 times a day. The main stomach of a cow, the rumen, holds up to 50 gallons of food that has been partially digested.

Referred to as cud, a cow will chew cud and belch methane gas which is produced at this time for up to eight hours a day. They spend 10-12 hours per day lying down and of that sleep about 4 hours.

Cattle have almost 300 degrees of vision, with blind spots only right in front of and behind them. They are unable to see the colour red; red flags used by matadors only catch a bull’s attention because of the movement.

May I wish everyone a very happy, prosperous, peaceful and healthy Year of The Ox.

Cow trivia • Cows have favourite friends and become stressed when they are separated.

• Cows are good swimmers.

• There are about 350 udder squirts in a gallon of milk.

• Cows have an excellent sense of smell and can detect odours up to six miles away.

• Hindu nations believe that cows are holy and there are strict laws to protect them.

• USA President William Howard Taft kept a pet purebred Holstein cow “Miss Wayne” on the lawn of the Whitehouse to supplement his family’s fresh milk supply.

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MARKETPLACE

marketplace

To advertise, email talk@hongkongliving.com or call 2776 2772.

34 | hongkongliving.com To advertise, email talk@hongkongliving.com or call 2776 2772

DATING

Check your expectations Valentina Tudose on what is reasonable and what is asking for too much towards others. But we still need our own moral compass to decide what is reasonable and what is asking for too much.

Whether you are in a relationship already or still looking for the one, it may be helpful for you to ask yourself a few key questions:

What are my expectations of myself in this relationship?

We usually frame this question as ‘shoulds’ so it may sound like: I should be more understanding and accommodating, I should be less demanding, I should open myself more. Depending on the kind of relationship you want, it is up to you to decide what you need more or less of.

What are my expectations of my partner?

This helps you understand what your standards and deal breakers are. It is helpful to check with friends, family and coaches to verify these expectations are reasonable and if needed, brainstorm suitable adjustments.

What can my partner reasonably expect from me?

William Shakespeare once said that ‘expectation is the root of all heartache’.

We tend to blame others for many of our struggles and we often refuse to see that our disappointment, frustration and anger are a direct result of a gap between how we want things to be and the objective reality.

Sure, we would all love a world in which everything happens exactly as we imagine it, we have the perfect job, the perfect partner, all the money and stability in the world and life keeps getting better every day. Except, even if it did we would most likely want more.

We spend a lot of our time frustrated that people can’t read our minds, especially when it comes to romantic relationships. The ‘if you really loved me, you would do this without me asking’ is a line I often hear when couples argue, even when that particular request was never actually expressed.

Why do we assume people know what we expect them to do without telling them? Dating and marriages as well as any interpersonal relationships come with a bunch of rules that lead people to make a lot of assumptions about each other and the nature of that relationship.

For example, when we start dating someone we expect them to stop seeing other people, as one

of the unspoken contracts of a relationship is exclusivity. However, it’s often complicated to know when is the right time to expect this.

Some people think an explicit agreement is needed (ie. the what are we talk), while others just assume they are in a committed relationship because they have a strong connection and spend time together.

Let’s say a couple meets on a dating app. At first, things are casual and the main expectations are around who messages first, how often they connect and how soon does the relationship move to the next level. Potentially for one partner this next level is a purely physical relationship, for the other it’s something more serious. They may be meeting a few times, talk a lot and feel the connection growing. But then disaster strikes.

One partner is still on dating apps and is seeing other people, while the other believes they are an ‘instant couple’. This isn’t really a surprise, as many people create a fantasy of what a relationship is without sharing these expectations with the other.

It goes without saying that not all expectations are unrealistic however. These rules play an important role as they define what is appropriate and socially acceptable behavior

This question helps you understand whether you are asking too much of yourself. The gap between their expectations and your own image of how you want to act will give you clarity on what to work on.

Valentina Tudose is a relationship coach and founder of Happy Ever After and ambassador for YVEREST. For more information visit happyeverafter.asia

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BACKPAGE

Lift your spirits Nury Vittachi on lift etiquette for beginners Weep for me. At one of the offices I use regularly, I share a lift lobby with a group of primitive, uncivilized Neanderthals. (No offence intended to any Neanderthals who may be reading this.)

Here’s how they behave when they approach elevators: 1. On arrival at the lift lobby, they press the up button to tell the elevator where they want to go AND the down button to tell the lift to come down and get them.

2. Every few seconds they repeat the process because they believe doing so will make the lift come faster.

3. Every extra member of their group who arrives in the foyer does the same because the lazy good-for-nothing lift will realize that a crowd is building up and get a move on.

When the lift arrives, new guidelines come into play: 1. Group A (the people waiting) must force their way in before Group B (the people inside) get out. Otherwise you can’t tell who are the winners and who are the losers, and there HAVE TO BE winners and losers, right?

2. The first person inside must use his body to cover the panel so no one else can press the buttons.

3. Lifts give people a two-minute pause from the rat race, so are a good location to ease one’s flatulence, enjoy a good belch and phone a bet into the Jockey Club.

It’s not just my building, of course. The rules above are scrupulously followed in many buildings throughout Hong Kong. But your humble narrator and a friend have recently been attempting to start a little revolution by adopting a more creative mode of behavior.

Here’s how to play: 1. As each person enters the lift say, “Hi! Glad you could make it!” and shake his or her hand vigorously.

2. Hold the door open at ground level longer than necessary and respond to glares by telling people: “the lift is refueling.”

3.Then speak into the panel microphone. “This is Alpha Bravo elevator one to control. Ready for departure. Over.”

4. When it starts to move upwards, say: “Please turn off your electronic devices as they may interfere with the elevator navigation system.”

5. When someone presses a floor number, give them a strange look and say, “So. YOU’RE the one.”

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6. If people are looking grim, suggest a group hug. (Everyone will refuse.)

7. If someone tries to get in wearing a t-shirt, shorts or flip-flops, stop him, saying: “I’m sorry, the dress code is jacket and tie.” (This creates a more dramatic impression if you are wearing only your Speedos.)

8. Whenever a guy in a suit gets on board, sing the James Bond theme.

9. When any male and female enter, sing the wedding march. This works particularly well if they don’t know each other.

10. As the lift comes to a halt, say: “Doors to manual” to the wall panel and “Goodbye. Thank you for flying Cathay Pacific” to the passengers.

My friend, who does not want his name in print, sometimes uses his Asianness to great comic effect in lifts in Europe. When entering, he asks: “Is this the men’s lift?” Sometimes he takes off his shoes upon entering and asks other passengers: “May I share your elevator?”

Last time I was riding a lift-car with him in Hong Kong, he decided to give a lecture to passengers on elevator etiquette: “When travelling in an elevator, the proper stance is to stand erect, with arms straight down touching the legs: your own legs,” he said. “And always keeps your destination safe from prying eyes by covering one hand with the other hand when pressing your floor number.”

A passenger pointed out that people will see what floor you get out on anyway. He shook his head. “Always vary your journeys, getting out at a different floor every day.”

Do the above and you’ll enjoy the same personal attention from the building management that my friend and I get. You can take that as a warning.

Nury Vittachi is an award-winning author and journalist based in Hong Kong. He is best known for his comedy-crime novel series, The Feng Shui Detective. Contact him via nury@vittachi.com or through his public Facebook page.

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