Where were you born? Malaysia
Where else have you lived? Singapore, Switzerland, England, China, France.
How long have you been in Hong Kong? As an occasional guest of my parents, since 1982. As a tax paying social liability, on and off since 1994.
Which part of Hong Kong do you live in? Mid-Levels
Children and ages? Two daughters, 8 and 5.
Are you working in Hong Kong and what do you do? Yes. My daughters think I’m a spy, my wife thinks I’m useless, and colleagues think I’m mostly decorative. I work for a risk consulting firm — we help our clients address and sort out operational risks in Asia.
What work did you do in your past lives? Investment banker, private equity investor, photographer, media hack.
What brought you to Hong Kong and why have you stayed? A job. Inertia and tax rate.
What time of day do you check Hong Kong Moms? More frequently now that various friends actively let me know when someone’s worldview that needs realignment.
What posts do you comment on and why? Din Tai Fung is not dim sum. Vaccinate your children. Your iPhone screen can be fixed in Wanchai. Your child is not a precious snowflake and your problems are likely not unique. Google is your friend. Domestic helpers are humans too.
What is the best thing you have learned from Hong Kong Moms? I’m far less maladjusted than I normally think I am.
What is your favorite Hong Kong Moms post? Lately, it has to be the one about the coffee enema. Can I call it an “asspresso”?
What do you ask Hong Kong Moms? I’ve only ever asked where I can find a drive-though car wash on HK island. But that said, I now know all about coffee enemas.
What is your biggest Hong Kong fave? Lack of commuting.
And frustration? People who put used tissues in taxi door handles. People who walk while looking at their phone. People who barge into the train without letting others off. People who take themselves far too seriously. Elevator door close button stabbers. Shouty tourists with no sense of personal space. People who think turn signals are optional. Whoever decides on the price of fish fingers at Great. People with no sense of humor. Tutors who are celebrities. These people will be smote hip and thigh with terrible vengeance when I become a god (not the God; that would be presumptuous. Just a god. Something in a decent pantheon, maybe with a theme or decent entrance music.)
What is your craziest Hong Kong experience? Most taxi rides. Causeway Bay or Zuma on a Sunday lunchtime.
Does anyone ever recognize you or your name from Hong Kong Moms? Lately it’s been a bit of a conversation topic among friends.
What kind of friendships have you made through Hong Kong Moms? Er, none? I’m probably on a couple of kill lists, and stilettos can be stabby.
Which Hong Kong Mom would you like you to see featured next? Andrew Leyden. Like me, not a mom but he definitely fits the bill of “adult child minding human”. Also the antithesis of me in that he offers helpful advice.