I am an overseas Chinese dude who has lived in HK since the early 90's. When HK was under the English administration, there was definitely an inferiority complex among many of the HK-born Chinese. I guess many of those who grew up and lived under the English had to learn to kiss expat ass to in order to prosper and be accepted in the right social circles.
To many of the overseas Chinese and mainland-born Chinese, this inferiority attitude was quite pitiable at times to watch. Many times my friends and I have seen laowais push around local guys knowing the local guys would just 'take it' quietly. But because we overseas Chinese had to learn to fight back overseas to get our 'rights' in our respective countries, there many times my friends got into fights with laowais in LKF or in the bars of Wanchai.
Once I had an English gweilo apologize to me after I pushed back when he tried to push me out of his way. This is what he said to me: "Sorry mate, I thought you were local." In that statement, he had low opinion of his Colonial subjects, but had utmost respect for me as an equal because I come from another country.
Now things are so different. HK has been returned to China and is under the Beijing administration. China has risen in international economic and political rankings. HK people have gained some self-confidence when it comes to dealing with laowais. The laowais who remained after the handover and those who came afterward are respectful of all Chinese. Many laowais who come here now know a good amount of Mandarin and are willing to learn Canto which has gone a long way to warming the hearts of the locals.
Most importantly the locals, esp the local guys have found the confidence to stand up to (or push back or fight when needed) when harassed or insulted by laowais which has led to a mutually more respectful atmosphere among all parties. The local guys and laowai guys have learned to overcome their old aminosities via drinking at LKF, Wanchai, Macau together and learned we are all the same - we all like to visit wgs. 
So TonyToro is correct, most laowais are treated respectfully equally as well the laowais treat the locals these days.
Scootermonger : Shanghai guys are known to be wimps who talk big by most of the mainland Chinese guys. If those Frenchy guys caused any trouble in northern China, they would get their asses punked because those northern guys are all 'action and no talk'. | |
