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Norm Yip
Painter , Photographer , Author
146,461 views| 75  Posts

hong kong police and the angry brothers . . .

Most of the time, I find myself meeting very optimistic people in Hong Kong, whether they be locals or foreigners. But today, I bumped into a couple of guys, brothers actually, near my Sheung Wan pad when I went out for some food. We decided to have dinner together and headed to the nearest food market nearby. What puzzled and annoyed me was the dinner conversation. The two of them were complaining about the legal system and about how the police harass everyone, and without right/due cause. Frankly, this was my 4th or 5th time seeing the one brother, and each time, he was in trouble with the law/police. And it appeared that he was not at fault for anything, but that he antagonized the police. He simple loved to argue against authority. Loud and obnoxioius, the guy was phased by how I was being accepting of the fact that the police could request my ID and question me on my whereabouts. Personally, yes, I have been stopped by the police here on a number of occasions. I admit to being rather perturbed by the entire process and feeling like a criminal when being interrogated on the streets. But I just answer and they let me go. Harmless. But for these two guys at the dinner table, they just went on and on about what is fair and unfair. I give it to them for being so 'just' in their thinking, but it dawned on me that these guys are really just loud and obnoxious individuals that need to listen to themselves talk. Bad energy in a major way. I said to one of them, that it would be better to leave it be, and to move onto doing something constructive and creative, than to harp on something that was rather insignificant. At least in Hong Kong, the streets are safer than most other cities, just because of the police enforcement. I'm not saying they are perfect either, but they do pretty good for a city of 6-7million inhabitants.

almost 17 years ago 0 likes  15 comments  0 shares
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Pickles (fab nick-name), I don't watch much television here, but what you just described is exactly what they do here in Hong Kong. I myself (although not recently) have been ID'd and questioned at least 10 or more times over the course of 13 years of living here. They ask for my ID (passport or HK ID card) and do a check via their walkie talkie. Then then proceed to ask what I'm doing, where I'm going, where I live and what business I'm into. To them, this is their job and they just do it. How they decide to choose me or any other person to ID, is probably based on looks, as you indicate. I might look shifty to them, so that alone is enough to give them reason to ID me. I'm sure they have a quota they must fill. The philosophy or approach IS different here. They are not assuming you are a criminal. It's more like an act of authority, and in a way, perhaps a form of giving you (the public) a sense that there is security on the streets. So when I get ID'd, I just tell them what's going on and I get on my way. I know I haven't done anything wrong nor have anything to hide. They have never asked personal questions. On a lighter note, some of the guys are quite attractive! Who knows why?
almost 17 years ago
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first of all, to andy_lau_spain, you most likely were not picked by the police because you are white. yes, as simple as that. on the other hand, mr. shifty BOON is definitely the type they would pick on, not excluding me and any other Asian guy. come to think of it, NEVER have i seen a female ID'd. damn, the advantages of being a female....
almost 17 years ago
Photo 33427
I agree with much said here, the police do profile (much the same as anywhere I guess) ... and as a white guy I have never had a problem. Many of my local friends get stopped way too much, either for looking 'dark' or having slightly too many tattoos. A number of my Nepalese friends get constant shit... one of them was nearly arrested for answering "Jamaica" when they asked where he was originally from... hahaha classic. (welcome to the site as well Norm)
almost 17 years ago
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i think all in all, i am quite impressed the police force for being able to manage peace and order, especially when there are mass demonstrations (think back a few years ago July 1...it was enormous!). on a sour note, I am less convinced by so many police raids at dance parties. there were far too many of them. i have not been out as much now, the sometimes, people NEED to party. the artistic community should understand what i'm talking about.
almost 17 years ago
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yeah there are people like that everywhere, the ones who bitch and moan about how the man is picking on them... its exactly that behavior that gets them in trouble in the first place... self-fulfilling prophecy!
almost 17 years ago
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feelings and opinions will change for the better or for the worse depending on circumstances. like i said, it is not great, but it isn't bad either. if you want me to relay a BAD experience, it would have to be the time when i was at a dance, and the venue got raided by the police. strangely enough, i completely forgot to bring my wallet! which had my ID in it. the police interrogated me for about a half hour. and it was not one officer, but about 4 of them...one after another... all spoke in Cantonese, meanwhile the last one spoke to me in English. i said, they can accompany me to my apartment and i will show them my ID and wallet, as i was sure they were in my other pants. he then tole me to leave the venue and to never show my face again. this kind of treatment was very uncessary, as i did no harm to anyone, except forget my ID (which is considered a no-no here in HK). of course, i have partied since then....
almost 17 years ago

About

Never in my dreams as a little child did I ever think I would come to live, work and play in Hong Kong. Born in Canada to Chinese parents, I moved here in 1994

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Languages Spoken
english, cantonese
Location (City, Country)
Hong Kong
Gender
male
Member Since
May 31, 2007