How to blend in like a Hong Kong local: 10 tricks to fake it

This year marks the 18th anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (S.A.R.), the milestone when sovereignty was handed over from Britain to China.

With a history that stretches back to the Stone Age, archaeological findings show that this region has been home to humans for millennia, shaping a distinctive culture unique to Hong Kong.

In honor of the 18th Establishment Day, here are 10 insider tips for visitors who want to blend in and avoid looking like a tourist in Wan Chai.

Hong Kong: Insider Travel Guide

1. Mastering the art of hailing a cross-harbor cab

To find a cab that’s willing to take you across the harbor, you can try the obvious approach and spot one of the rare cross-harbor taxi stands.

Alternatively, you could attempt to flag down a random cab and engage in a somewhat awkward shouting match through the window with the driver.

Or, you could perfect the cross-harbor arm wave.

Extend your arm out in front of the approaching cab and use your hand and wrist to make a flowing ocean wave gesture, signaling your desire for the cab to brave the harbor waters with you.

Yes, we get it – cabs are required by law to take you wherever you want to go.

But a real Hong Konger understands that laws here are more like suggestions, open to interpretation.

2. How to talk like a local

Every sentence, whether in English or any other language, should end with a classic Cantonese particle like la, ar, wor, or gar.

Here’s a sample sentence to practice with:

“Hong Kong is amazing, ar!”

“OK gar.” (Translation: I totally agree. It’s pretty incredible.)

Want to dive deeper into Cantonese final particles? Visit cantonese.sheik.co.uk.

3. How to handle an umbrella like a local

The umbrella holds a sacred place in the hearts of Hong Kong locals.

Often underappreciated, frequently abandoned at bars or left behind in taxis, the humble umbrella is the unsung hero of Hong Kongers, always there when needed, rain or shine.

It’s common for people, especially women, to carry a small, retractable umbrella, often with a UV-resistant coating.

When the skies open up, the umbrella provides the perfect defense against the torrential downpours.

In a city where rainfall can last for half the year, locals certainly aren't fond of getting soaked.

The other half of the year is often scorching, with blinding sunshine, and that's when the trusty umbrella comes out once again to shield against harmful rays and keep skin as pale as possible.

Just last year, the umbrella became a powerful symbol in Hong Kong’s student-led democracy protests – and for some, a makeshift defense against pepper spray.

4. How to capture life’s moments

At Hong Kong restaurants, you’ll hear things like: 'This dessert is so adorable! Wait, let me take a picture with it. Oh, one more with the flash off. I blinked, let’s do another.'

Before you know it, eight different photos of the same dessert, each with a unique facial expression, are posted on Facebook while the cake sits forgotten.

In Hong Kong, there’s nothing more gratifying than bombarding your friends with endless pictures of your food.

In fact, sharing photos of food can sometimes feel more rewarding than actually eating it.

So, before you dive in with your chopsticks, always check if anyone else wants to snap a shot of your dish.

5. How to request tissues

Asking for Kleenex in Hong Kong is a lost cause.

Here, the soft tissues we use to wipe our hands and faces are called ‘tissue,’ or Tempo, the reigning brand in the city.

Any self-respecting Hong Konger always has a bundle of Tempo tissues in their bag, partly because newspapers and magazines come with a free pack.

Sometimes, promotional teams will even distribute them at MTR exits to ensure you're never without.

6. How to tip

Want to blend in like a local? Keep your tips to a minimum, or skip them entirely.

A service charge is typically included in the bill, so locals rarely tip unless the waiter does something extraordinary—like deboning your sweet and sour pork.

For most Hong Kongers, tipping is just a way to offload the loose change.

7. How to order food like a local

Hong Kongers are famously particular (or picky) about their food orders.

The level of customization in meal orders at local diners rivals the complexity of a Starbucks coffee order.

Typical requests include ‘iced lemon tea, less sweet, no ice, with lemon slices on the side,’ or ‘fish ball noodles, no greens, beef brisket soup base.’

Luckily, there’s no chef attitude here to deal with—just fast, efficient service.

MORE: Cha chaan teng guide: Essential dishes to try at Hong Kong’s favorite local diners

8. How to abbreviate like a local

One thing Hong Kongers share with Australians is a love for abbreviations.

Whether it's due to laziness or a desire to maximize efficiency, we’re either too busy or too clever to say the full thing.

In the end, we prefer our words short and sweet, with fewer syllables to chew on.

7-Eleven becomes 'Seven' (pronounced 'seh-fun'), Circle K is simply 'OK', and the classic spam and egg sandwich is affectionately called 'sp-egg-wich' in Cantonese.

Our personal favorite abbreviation is 'sorry', which is just shortened to 'sor.'

9. How to avoid holding up the line

In Hong Kong, commuting is all about maintaining momentum and never stopping.

The key is continuous motion—always moving forward, never slowing down.

That’s why locals have train and bus schedules memorized, and why Octopus cards (the essential reloadable smart card) are always pre-loaded and ready to use when it’s time to pay.

The goal is to smoothly glide through the MTR turnstile without losing your pace or needing to stop.

Don’t be that tourist fumbling for their Octopus card at the turnstile, scrambling to find it in the bottom of your bag after you’ve already arrived.

Or even worse, having insufficient credit on your Octopus card.

There's nothing more embarrassing than the shrill beep of a rejected Octopus card, followed by the shameful retreat away from the turnstile.

MORE: Hong Kong’s MTR: Discover the world’s most admired metro system

10. How to count with your hands

The ultimate test of local identity, according to immigration officers, is knowing how to count in Cantonese.

Take it to the next level by using the local sign language.

Master these three numbers to flaunt your local expertise: six, nine, and ten.

For six, tourists might just hold up six fingers.

But locals do it in style, using the 'hang ten' hand gesture to represent six.

To show nine, curl your index finger downward to mimic the shape of the number 9.

To charm your fruit vendor, cross your index fingers to show you're asking for exactly 10 apples.

The sign to fend off vampires? In Hong Kong, it's also the gesture for the number just before 11.