I've just read an essay written by a German student who was studying in HK University. The essay talked about his impression of living in Hong Kong. He said that what surprised him was that he could hardly find any cafe in HK. Even though he found one, it must be Starbucks or Pacific café --- there’s not local café. He also said, in Germany, café is as common as grocery’s. Every day after work, people would spend a few hours in cafes, doing nothing but enjoying coffee and chatting. Because of this, he thought HK is a place where there is no fun of living--- everyone was living a high-pace life, busy working, but no one ever stops their pace just to enjoy living a simple and peaceful life.This is what really sets me thinking. Even though I’m not one of those who always spend pleasant afternoons in cafés, I do agree that café was not, is not and never will be just a place for beverage. In fact, I believe many people would agree that cafe itself has long been an important part of history. What really matters is just to sit there and do nothing. Cafés, especially local cafes, should be where one can see the other side of a city--- the peaceful and cozy side. Cafes should be the places for all citizens to escape from pressure of their work and just to enjoy a few minutes of relax.In spite of knowing all this, how many of us have ever tried to slow down our paces and spend a single peaceful Sunday afternoon in cafes? I guess this is one of the reasons why, in a prosperous city like HK, one could not find a local café. One is blind when busy fighting for money and states. He cannot see all the beautiful views around him.What would happen if we have earned a lot, or won high states? What is the point of money and states? We are all just passers-by in this world. No one is immortal. All materials make no sense after death.You may say:” I try to earn a lot today, because I want to enjoy my life someday.” Yet, you can just choose to enjoy your life now. Don’t wait for the SOMEDAY that may never come.Life is too short. Just enjoy today.
Sunday, 1 April 2012
Enjoy Today
I've just read an essay written by a German student who was studying in HK University. The essay talked about his impression of living in Hong Kong. He said that what surprised him was that he could hardly find any cafe in HK. Even though he found one, it must be Starbucks or Pacific café --- there’s not local café. He also said, in Germany, café is as common as grocery’s. Every day after work, people would spend a few hours in cafes, doing nothing but enjoying coffee and chatting. Because of this, he thought HK is a place where there is no fun of living--- everyone was living a high-pace life, busy working, but no one ever stops their pace just to enjoy living a simple and peaceful life.This is what really sets me thinking. Even though I’m not one of those who always spend pleasant afternoons in cafés, I do agree that café was not, is not and never will be just a place for beverage. In fact, I believe many people would agree that cafe itself has long been an important part of history. What really matters is just to sit there and do nothing. Cafés, especially local cafes, should be where one can see the other side of a city--- the peaceful and cozy side. Cafes should be the places for all citizens to escape from pressure of their work and just to enjoy a few minutes of relax.In spite of knowing all this, how many of us have ever tried to slow down our paces and spend a single peaceful Sunday afternoon in cafes? I guess this is one of the reasons why, in a prosperous city like HK, one could not find a local café. One is blind when busy fighting for money and states. He cannot see all the beautiful views around him.What would happen if we have earned a lot, or won high states? What is the point of money and states? We are all just passers-by in this world. No one is immortal. All materials make no sense after death.You may say:” I try to earn a lot today, because I want to enjoy my life someday.” Yet, you can just choose to enjoy your life now. Don’t wait for the SOMEDAY that may never come.Life is too short. Just enjoy today.
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I can always have a lot of feelings after reading your essay. We need to slow down the pace of our life.
ReplyDeleteI love the sentence "just enjoy today", and your essay reminds me of my hometown Chendu, which is a slow and relaxing city~~
ReplyDeleteI think maybe the local Hongkongese all go to the local restaurants to have their afternoon tea, drinking the Chinese tea and chatting with their friends. And coffee is not a traditional beverage in the life of Hongkongese.hiahia~~
ReplyDeleteI agree with Bofan that in some communities the idea of 'cafe' means different thing to different people. In Singapore the 'tea house' is becoming very popular. Instead of the western coffee latte, hot chocolate, and other fanciful drinks, we are rediscovering the pleasures of Chinese tea and their great variety.
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