Hong Kong: Trying To Look Like a Local

First, looking like an Asian helps.

1. Casual

Most people here dress casually, especially people outside of the Hong Kong Island. A pair of jean and a simple and solid color T-shirt will do. Better yet, a pair of shorts.

2. A Pair of Glasses

Stereotype always have some truth to it. A lot of Asians are near-sighted, for whatever reason. Put on a pair of dark frame glasses, you would look like just the Ah Wong from Sham Shui Poh.

3. Newspaper

This is the biggest tip. Go pick up today's newspaper and carry it anywhere you go, under your arms. Now you look like another a recently unemployed Hong Kongese desperately looking for a job. Or a good son/girl helping mom to pick up the newspaper... When I was buying the newspaper, I accidentally sold myself out though...I asked how much was the newspaper. The lady hesitated for a second and said a number. I gave her the money, and then she said, who don't take the pack of tissues on the newspaper too. She probably told me a higher than normal price, and then felt guilty, and then gave an a pack of tissue for "free" to pacify her conscience.

4. Small Backpack/Or No Backpack

When you see someone with a backpacking style backpack, you know he or she is a tourist. You can buy anything you can imagine anywhere here. Leave your backpack at the hotel. Bring some cash and your phone, and that's all you need.

That's it! Go mingle and blend into the crowd now. Of course, if you have look anything but Asian, none of the above would work.