Confessions of a Corporate Shopaholic

Getting people to stop whining is one of my most favorite catch phrases.  You will often find my Facebook updates filled with reminders to look at how fortunate we all are despite our beliefs.  If none of that was convincing before, what happened in Japan last Friday sure brings us back to perspectives in the most unfortunate fashion.

Every disaster is a test of our faith and endurance, and I believe that even though I am an atheist.  When one of the world’s most prepared nations for earthquakes and tsunamis was hit, there is just no way of telling how we can make sense of all this.  In the middle of all those hard-to-watch videos and news clips of the disaster, I have been in awe of the unity and perseverance of the Japanese people.

While they are still looking for the whereabouts of their loved ones, scrambling for food and shelter, and assessing immense damages of their properties, many Japanese offer to lend help to vulnerable foreigners and visitors who have had no experience or expectation of such disaster.  They offer precious water and food, look for transportation information for those who are hurrying to leave the affected cities, as well as to provide recommendations and options even with the slightest understanding of the English language.    If that’s not being considerate and compassionate, I don’t know what is.

So what does that tell us when we see this happening in our city every day?

• when asked by local reporters whether he may risk airport chaos in Japan, a Hong Kong gentleman about to leave for his vacation answered: “Of course not, I know the Hong Kong government will charter flights to take us home”;
• people jumping queues at bus terminals, subway stations, and even while waiting for elevators;
• bitching at the government that they don’t have enough money to buy the HK$6 million show flats after graduation;
• renowned for our checkbook charities instead of making a physical effort to help the needy

While trying my best not to turn into a grumpy old man bitching at the senseless cruelty of everything happening about us these days, I restore my faith when I see there is still goodness in people. 

And my dear Japanese friends, your spirits and strengths will pull you out of this disaster in no time.  I will make sure I learn from you.