The most obnoxious thing on the streets of Hong Kong, especially Kowloon, are the persistent Indians either 1) telling you about your lucky face or 2) peddling tailored suits. Every damn street corner there’s an Indian guy who will target you for an up-close and personal marketing campaign – especially if you’re a westerner. I got good in a mere afternoon at spotting these guys and I could see them notice me out of the corner of my eye, see them saunter up to me, and then politely inquire: “Sir, would you like a nice suite?” The best defense is to simply keep walking as if you didn’t hear a peep. It’s not rude; they are used to this. I was probably being overly polite by raising my hand in my air with dismissing motion. Paying any mind to these guys will get you this:

“Sir! Sir! Please, my friend! Come to my shop! You will be so happy, sir! Wonderful new suits and shirts for you sir! Oh, when you see my prices you will smile and be so happy, sir. Sir! Sir! Please, my friend! Please!!”

When I first came to Hong Kong two months ago, there was one Indian guy right outside the hotel who barely let me escape because I paid just a little attention to him. The same guy was still haunting the same area when I came back to Hong Kong. Incredible.

I do think it would be cool to pick up some tailored goods, but a Hong Kong friend of mine said to skip it. Apparently, you can get tailored goods in Luo Hu too. Of course, it’s cheaper. I’ll try that out; look for a post soon.

The other Indians like to walk up and down the waterfront near the Avenue of the Stars (similar to the Hollywood Star sidewalk or whatever it’s called) and find unsuspecting westerners to “tell their fortune”. If you read my first post on Hong Kong, I told this story. Yeah, I got ripped off, but he did forsee a good February. And it came true! I did enjoy my February. Anyway, there was another Indian guy prowling around waterfront who, of course, said to me, “Good morning sir!” So, I politely waved, but kept walking. “Sir, what a lucky face you have!” I kept walking. “Sir! Do you know why your face is so lucky?” Walk. “Sir, next month will be lucky for you!”

Another guy tried the same thing. When he told me about my lucky face, I couldn’t help but reply, “I know! I’ve been told many times!” He looked a bit perplexed but followed up immediately with, “Oh sir, you have such a happy face, sir! Sir, you are fortunate to be so lucky. Do you know why, sir? Sir?!?”

See the guy leaning against the railing in the turban? He’ll be happy to tell your fortune:

And then there was another young, tall, roguish in appearance Indian who approached with the same technique on my last day. This time I was getting annoyed. I think I made the mistake of acknowledging him and he followed me for a long way. It wasn’t until I angrily shooed him away that he left me alone.

And, along the famous Avenue of the Stars is this popular statue of Bruce Lee: