#047 A conversation with a guest who is about to immigrate, Hong Kong International Home Textiles Fair (23/04/2023)

Conversation with guests who are about to immigrate

This week, our North Point store just opened. For the first few days, I was managing the store alone. One day, a customer who's about to emigrate visited, and we got along very well. He mentioned that he was quite hesitant about this decision, especially since he has young children. Listening to him, I could sense his worry and anxiety. Because it concerns other people, I won't disclose it here, but I sincerely hope that his family is well and that they live happily wherever they are.

Whether to leave or not is never an easy decision. Although I have no plans to leave Hong Kong, seeing people I know slowly leaving one by one, or hearing the same questions asked at gatherings with classmates and friends, really makes me unhappy. It's like now that we're supposedly "post-COVID" and "back to normal life," but there are fewer people on the streets and fewer people in restaurants, and it doesn't feel the same as before.

I don't know if this is accurate, but I feel that many people in Hong Kong are actually unhappy, going to work and coming home every day, day after day. Especially during this period, when their friends may be considering emigration, and the overall economy is not good, there are probably many thoughts and ideas that they don't know how to express inside, and they are worried and unhappy about the future. Those with children may also worry about their children. Those with family burdens are also worried about economic problems and an uncertain future, but they don't know how to express these things, and they can't talk to anyone about them.

Ben (my colleague/former classmate) and I used to chat and joke around at work. We should have added a "Hong Kong People's Confessional" section in the store, where everyone could come in and talk—no need to buy anything, we could talk about anything. Actually, we needed this space to express our feelings to others. It's more comfortable to confide in a stranger. There are some things you can't tell your spouse/family. But everyone knows that's impossible.

Hong Kong International Home Textiles Fair

This week I also went to the Hong Kong International Home Textiles Fair, which is for industry professionals and is similar to a book fair. Manufacturers set up booths to showcase their products and textile technologies, mainly providing an opportunity for manufacturers and companies from around the world to get to know each other and discuss cooperation. This was my first time attending this type of exhibition. I visited as a buyer, walking around the booths, looking at the products of different manufacturers, and then discussing cooperation with them. Some of the companies that we cooperate with were also exhibiting there, so I went to say hello.

However, there were actually very few exhibitors at this year's exhibition, with Chinese manufacturers accounting for 90%. Many of the fabrics and products on display were ones I'd seen before, making the venue feel somewhat deserted, which is a pity, considering Hong Kong's experience hosting these international exhibitions and its inherent advantages. I do want to commend the Hong Kong Trade Development Council; the entire exhibition was well-organized, and there was ample support for the companies. It was just that the limited number of exhibitors might have made it less attractive. Hopefully, next year will be better!