Outside of the UK, I have lived in two places: Hong Kong and Italy. Therefore it sounds a bit biased to claim that the Italians and the Chinese are kindred spirits, because their countries are the only two places I’ve lived in away from home.
However, living in these two very different corners of the globe, I have felt déjà vu more than a few times and have thus come up with a theory that Italianos and Heung-Gong-ers have more in common that you may think…
1. Food
Are there any cuisines more universally beloved than Italian and Chinese? You can find Italian and Chinese restaurants anywhere in the world, almost as easily as you can find an Irish pub. In comparison, it’s rather difficult to find a restaurant outside of the UK that specialises in British food.
I love authentic Chinese foods almost as much as Western Chinese foods that aren’t Chinese at all, almost as much as I love an Italian gelato.
Interestingly, I can vouch that both Chinese food in Italy and Italian food in China are utter rubbish. Like Batman and Superman, I guess they are separately amazing and disastrous together. (Sorry not sorry, Ben Affleck.) And for both Italians and the Chinese, mealtime is family time and everyone sits around the table and shares.
Mamma Mia! Ho May ah! Spaghetti = noodles, fried rice = risotto… coincidences? I think not!
2. Inventions
Paper, compasses, umbrellas, alcohol, kites, printing, the cuppa tea, clocks… thank you, China.
What have the Romans ever done for us?! Roads, sewage systems and sanitation, concrete, the calendar, city planning, the coffee machine (OK, maybe not the Romans, but you get it) and – most importantly – really good wine.
3. Powerful & historic civilisations
I see your Colosseum and I raise you The Great Wall. I see your Chinese dynasties and I raise you the Roman Empire. And who wouldn’t want to see a fight between Mulan and a gladiator?
Both places were once home to the most advanced civilisations of their time and have some of the richest and most fascinating histories in the world.
4. Hypochondriacs
Oh mio dio! Honest to god, when I was working in English summer camps in Italy, water games had to be held at least four hours after mealtimes in case the children drowned.
Living in Hong Kong, I’m always confused how people freak out if the air con isn’t on or a window isn’t open in case they get sick from the room being “too stuffy”, all while wearing a surgical mask that makes me think I’m really working as an extra in 28 Days Later.
5. Traditional values
In both cultures, families of several generations live under one roof. Whether you call her nonna or popo, your nan probably lives with you at the very least. It’s also worth noting that both Italy and Hong Kong have some of the lowest birth rates in the world – in my opinion, most likely because couples don’t get too much privacy living with their parents.
Both Hong Kong and Italian families are generous, welcoming you into their homes like one of the family and constantly insisting that you should eat more of their food. As for traditional values… let’s just say that neither Italy nor Hong Kong is going to be legalising gay marriage any time soon.
6. Gangsters
Who would I least like to meet on a dark night, a member of the triads or the mafia? Hmmm. Tough choice. There was a time when the mafia practically ran Italy, and their reputation is immortalised in films such as The Godfather.
In Hong Kong, the former Kowloon Walled City was filled with triad activity, opium dens and brothels outside the reaches of the law. If rumours are to be believed, both underground gangster circles are still very much alive, thriving and influential, but I definitely don’t want to comment on that in case I wake up with a horse’s head on my pillow…
7. Mad about brands
Something I cannot fathom is a love of brand names, which are revered in both Italy and Hong Kong.
As soon as a new iPhone is released, people in HK are queuing up overnight to get the latest version, even if their current model is working fine (not to mention the amount that are smuggled over the border to be sold in China); no outfit is complete without a designer (or knockoff designer) bag; and the amount of luxury shopping malls that exist in Hong Kong is ridiculous.
Journeying to the West, Italians love their fashion, designers and brands – and the status it shows. The kids I taught in Italia all wore spotless converse or Nike trainers while dressed in plain white t-shirts with brand names printed in the corner. I’ve heard it said that Italians would rather save money on basics than scrimp on luxury.
Cultural kindred spirits
Of course, in many other ways, Italy and Hong Kong couldn’t be more different. The Italian relaxed pace of life and lack of urgency versus Hong Kong’s workaholic efficiency are polar extremes. A midday siesta in Hong Kong is as unthinkable as a skyscraper in Rome. A 24-hour 7-Eleven or McDonalds in Italia is as out of place as a vineyard in the Fragrant Harbour.
Despite this, I love the idea that two complete opposite peoples can be cultural kindred spirits, affirming that deep down we are all human (and that also I seem to have followed the my taste buds when I have chosen countries to live in).
Did I mention that Italy and Hong Kong also happen to be the best places to live? I promise I’m not biased.
As for other cultural twins in the world, I have another theory that Brits and Koreans are soulmates, but that’s a discussion for another day…
