Welcome to Our Multi-cultural Hong Kong!

Hello, amazing students! Have you ever noticed that in Hong Kong, we meet people from all over the world? We hear different languages, taste yummy food from many countries, and see lots of different holidays being celebrated. This is because Hong Kong is a multi-cultural city!

'Multi' means many, and 'culture' is the special way a group of people live, including their food, clothes, language, and holidays.

In this chapter, we'll explore the amazing mix of cultures in our city and learn why it's so important to be respectful and friendly to everyone. Let's begin our adventure!


What Makes Hong Kong a "Salad Bowl" of Cultures?

Imagine Hong Kong is a giant, colourful salad bowl. Each vegetable is different – there are crunchy carrots, green lettuce, and juicy tomatoes. Each one is special on its own, but when you mix them together, you get a delicious and exciting salad!

In Hong Kong, people are like the different vegetables. We come from different places and have different backgrounds, but together, we make our city a wonderful and interesting place to live. People from all over the world call Hong Kong home.

Key Takeaway

A multi-cultural city is a place where people from many different cultural backgrounds live together. This mix of people, traditions, and ideas makes our city a vibrant and special place.


Exploring Different Cultures Around Us

You don't need a passport to experience different cultures in Hong Kong! They are all around us. Let's look at some examples you can find every day.

Yummy in My Tummy! A Taste of Different Cultures

One of the best ways to experience a culture is through its food! Hong Kong is a food paradise with tastes from all over the globe.

  • Chinese Dim Sum: Small, delicious snacks like siu mai and har gow, often shared with family.
  • Indian Curry: A flavourful, saucy dish with spices, often eaten with rice or naan bread.
  • Japanese Sushi: Small pieces of rice with fresh fish or vegetables.
  • Western Hamburgers and Pizza: Popular foods from Europe and America that kids all over the world love!

Time to Celebrate! Different Festivals

Different cultures celebrate special days. These festivals are full of joy, traditions, and often, yummy food!

  • Chinese New Year: Many Hong Kong families celebrate this! We see dragon dances, eat special cakes, and children get red packets (lai see) for good luck.
  • Christmas: Celebrated by people from many Western countries and also by many locals. We see beautiful decorations, Christmas trees, and hear songs about Santa Claus.
Did you know?

Hong Kong also celebrates many other festivals like the Mid-Autumn Festival, Cheung Chau Bun Festival, Diwali (the Hindu festival of lights), and Eid (a celebration for our Muslim friends).

Can You Say "Hello"? Different Languages

In Hong Kong, you will hear many languages. The most common are Cantonese, English, and Mandarin. But you might also hear people speaking Japanese, Korean, Hindi, French, and many more! Learning to say "hello" in another language is a great way to make a new friend.

Respecting Different Beliefs

People have different religions and beliefs. In Hong Kong, you can see beautiful Chinese temples, tall churches, and grand mosques. This shows that Hong Kong is a place where we respect everyone's beliefs and customs.

Key Takeaway

We see and experience multi-cultures through food, festivals, languages, and different places of worship. These things make life in Hong Kong colourful and exciting.


How to Be a "Culture Superstar"!

Living in a multi-cultural city is a gift! It gives us the chance to learn new things and make friends with people from all over the world. Here’s how we can all live together happily and harmoniously.

The Magic Word: RESPECT

Respect is the most important rule. It means treating everyone with kindness, even if their customs, clothes, or food seem different from yours. Here is how you can show respect:

  1. Be Curious, Not Judgmental: If you see something new, it's okay to be curious! Ask polite questions to learn more. Avoid making fun of things you don't understand.
  2. Listen with Your Ears and Your Heart: When a friend tells you about their family's traditions, listen carefully. This shows you care about them and their culture.
  3. Everyone has a Role: Remember that every person, no matter their background, is a valuable member of our community. Everyone has roles and responsibilities that help make Hong Kong a better place.

Making Friends with Everyone

Don't worry if you can't speak the same language! A friendly smile is understood all over the world. You can also:

  • Invite someone to play with you during recess.
  • Share your snacks (if it's okay with your teacher!).
  • Try to learn a simple greeting, like "hello" or "thank you," in their language.
Quick Review Box

Showing Respect Means:

  • Being kind to everyone.
  • Listening to others' stories and ideas.
  • Accepting that it's okay for people to be different.
  • Trying to learn about other cultures.
Key Takeaway

To live happily in a multi-cultural city, we must respect each other's traditions and customs. Being open-minded and friendly helps us build a strong and caring community.


Chapter Summary: Our Colourful Hong Kong!

Wow, we've learned so much! Let's do a quick recap of the most important points.

  • Hong Kong is a multi-cultural city because people from all over the world live here together.
  • We can see this wonderful mix in our delicious food, exciting festivals, and the many languages we hear every day.
  • The most important thing is to show respect for all people and their different cultures, traditions, and beliefs.
  • By being kind, curious, and friendly, we help make Hong Kong a happy and harmonious home for everyone.

Remember our salad bowl? All the different parts make it special. All the different people and cultures make Hong Kong special, too! Be proud of our city's amazing diversity!