Odd Asian Eye Tape

Hong Kong never ceases to surprise me. Not a week goes by without seeing, hearing, reading or smelling something strange. Take for example the other week when I was browsing through Sasa, a Hong Kong cosmetics chain. Lined between the fruit shaped lip balms and Hello Kitty shower gels, I stumbled upon a rack of strange looking packages. On closer inspection these turned out to contain eye tape. Eye tape, how very odd!

After some research into this eye tape I learned that many Asian women desire to change the appearance of their eyelids.

Eyelids can generally be divided into two categories: the single eyelid and the double eyelid. With single eyelids, the eyelid is pretty much hidden by a skin fold that covers the eyelid. The amount of skin that falls over the eyelid varies, but most Asians have such single eyelids (eye A to G). Most Caucasians on the other hand have so-called double eyelids, whereby the eyelid is largely visible due to a crease in the eyelid (Eye H).

Whether it is an attempt for Asian women to look more Western or just to have their eyes to look more ‘open’, many Asian women are taking steps to have their mono eyelids changed to double eyelids and it is reported that Asian double eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasties, are the most common aesthetic cosmetic procedure in many parts of East Asia. But now, thanks to eye tape, Asian women no longer have to undergo surgery to obtain a double eye-lid.

While I personally have a double eyelid and definitely don’t need these stickers I decided to give the tape a shot for the sake of this article. Each package consists of approximately 30 oval shaped stickers that are to be applied just above the eye lashes thereby pushing the eyelid skin slightly back and creating a double eyelid. I have renewed respect for women who regularly wear this tape as it is not only difficult to apply, but it is also a rather uncomfortable feeling to have the stickers on your eye.

To be honest I don’t think it makes much difference and that single eyelids are perfectly beautiful but I guess at the end of the day, like with many things, it’s a matter of personal preference. Either way, I find the concept entertaining and I can add eye tape to my list of funny things I came across in Hong Kong.

See you soon!

Happy McValentines!

Yesterday, a young Hong Kong couple celebrated Valentines in a very special way as they got married under the golden arches at a local McDonalds restaurant. This wedding was the first formal so-called McWedding since McDonalds introduced the service in January.


The first couple seal the McWedding with a kiss. Reuters

According to McDonalds, the concept isn’t tacky and fills a niche in Hong Kong, where McDonalds restaurants are a very popular dating venue and prices for more typical weddings run exorbitantly high. A wedding at McDonalds comes well under the average cost for Hong Kong weddings and for a mere HK $9,999 (approx 1000 euro) you can get yourself a complete ‘Warm and Sweet Wedding Package'.

The package includes, venue, invitations, a bouquet and corsage, McDonalds food, Happy Meal gifts for guests, decorations, a McDonalds Apple Pie ‘cake’ and, most importantly, a pair of McDonalds balloon wedding rings!  If this isn’t enough for you, you can also add additional services including a McDonalds backdrop, wedding balloons, marriage dolls, balloon corsages, and most amazingly a white or red balloon wedding gown.

So far bookings for the McWeddings have been limited with only 2 more weddings confirmed for this year but the American fast food giant is hoping the McWeddings will take off in Hong Kong as young people steer away from traditions and look for out-of-the-ordinary wedding experiences.

There are two drawbacks though, firstly, forget having a private party as the outlets where the weddings can be held will remain open to the public. Worse, guests hoping to celebrate with a drink will be dissappointed as alcohol is banned at Hong Kong McDonalds. But if you don't really care about this and just want a cheap and original wedding, the McWedding might just be what you're after.

Let's just hope they couple will stay McHappily Ever After!

Sources:
http://www.mcdonalds.com.hk/english/about/wedding/index.asp http://lifewise.canoe.ca/valentines/features/2011/02/14/17266756.html

Lai See

During the first few days of the Chinese New Year festival you will say many people giving each other small red and gold envelopes filled with money. This tradition is called Lai See and you give Lai See to poeple to wish them good fortune and prosperity in the year to come.

Exaples of Lai See enveloppes

But giving Lai See is not as straightforward as it seems and there is a certain etiquette around who you give and how much you give. The general rule of thumb with Lai See is that it’s given from a senior to a junior. For example a boss will give Lai See to his employees, parents to their children and residents to doormen. Married couples will also give Lai See to their single friends.  

The amount given varies widely depending on who the Lai See is given to. But no matter what the amount, the money should only be given in single notes and should never contain any coins. It’s also important that the notes are new and locals often stand in line at the bank for hours to obtain new fresh notes.

As you may remember from my previous blog article (Unlucky fours), the Cantonese word for four sounds like the Cantonese word for deaths, so amounts of $40 and $400 should be avoided as they are considered bad luck.

In addition to the red envelopes, small gifts are also exchanges between friends and family during the Chinese New Year. Common gifts include fruit, cakes, biscuits and chocolates. As you can see shops are well stocked to provide for all the chocolate.

We decided to join the tradition and have given Lai See to our doormen and the ladies at the recption. We didn't manage to get new banknotes, but I'm sure they appreciate the effort! I wonder if I'll get any Lai See....

See you soon.