Different identities, Different ideas How do we view USE of ENGLISH in Hong Kong?

From an exchange student's POINT of view . . .

I am a French exchange student at City university of Hong Kong. I am here to study for 4 months. When I arrived here at the end of August, I discovered that this city was very interesting. First I was surprised by the large number of people living here. It is so crowded and noisy. I got used to it gradually. The living habits are different from France. Here in Hong Kong, most shops are open late until 11:00p.m. and even on weekends. In France, the shops are close at 7.30p.m. every night and Sundays are holidays for the shops.

I have learnt English since I was 8-year-old. As I spent a lot of time staying in England for holidays, I was lucky not to have the horrible French accent that characterizes almost all French people. I can also say that my English is quite good or a bit more than just good. I just miss vocabulary sometimes. But even though I am good in English and try to pronounce as good as I can, I still have problems to be understood by some people in Hong Kong, for example, the cashiers in small shops and even the City U canteen.

I thought that many people would be able to speak good English before I went to HK and it appears not to be the case. Even some students in the university do not have not enough confidence to talk with me in English. I do think that Hong Kong people don't have a high level of English. I rate them as 3/10 for most of the population. And I rate 7/10 for most students and the people working in tourist spots. Students have to speak English because it is the medium of their courses. And the latter group of people speak English because their businesses need it.

Poor experience in Hong Kong:
In fact, I have a lot of examples referring to ordering meals. At the canteen or the MacDonald's, the cashiers do not speak English at all or know very little English. They let me order what I want event though they already knew that they would not understand me. After-that, they would do gestures with their hands and call someone to rescue them. I felt sad because that reminded me my difference from others and my weakness in Mandarin. Everything would be easier if I were speaking Cantonese or at least Mandarin. But my level is so weak though I have learnt Mandarin for 2 years.

Finally I get my meal, and thankfully it is the one I want. But it takes a longer time and people behind me look at me to know what happen and it ruins my motivation and happiness.

From a local student's POINT of view . . .

I am a local Year 1 student at the City University of Hong Kong. As English is my major subject, there are many chances for me to expose myself to English. In the university, no matter which department you belong to, you have to speak, read or write English very frequently. So I think that most of the university students are good at English and I rate them as 8/10.

In Hong Kong, English is important for communication, especially with foreigners. In some business districts, like Central and Tsim Sha Tsui, most people speak good English. But in Mong Kok and some other places, many people don't know how to speak in English or speak limited English. From my point of view, it is unacceptable as Hong Kong is an international city and there are many businessmen or tourists from all over the world travelling to Hong Kong everyday. If Hong Kongers perform badly in English, the image of Hong Kong will be ruined.

Take my experience as an example :
once I went to a fast-food shop, there was a foreigner standing in front of me when I queued up. She told the cashier that she wanted a hamburger but the cashier did not understand. She looked helpless and frustrated. So, I translated her order to the cashier and finally, she got what she wanted.

If no one helps the woman, her impression to Hong Kong might be very poor and she might not want to travel to HK again.

It is an unforgettable memory because I realise that some HongKongers have unbelievably poor English. They even do not know what "hamburger" refers to!