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| Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class- Holidays in Hong Kong Series at CantoneseClass101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind holidays and observances in Hong Kong. I’m Eric, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 11- Halloween, or 萬聖節 in Cantonese. |
| Over the last decade, Halloween has become an increasingly popular holiday in Hong Kong. Like in many countries, Halloween in Hong Kong is celebrated every year on October 31st. Let's take a look at how people like to celebrate this holiday in Hong Kong! |
| Now, before we get into more detail, I've got a question for you- Do you know how people in Hong Kong say "Trick or Treat"? |
| If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later, so keep listening! |
| In many countries on Halloween, children put on costumes and masks, or 面具, and go from door to door collecting candies. This is not common practice in Hong Kong due to safety reasons. Instead, Halloween is more used as an opportunity for teenagers to party. On the weekend before Halloween, there are lots of Halloween-themed parties around the city, where teenagers show up in costumes. |
| On Halloween night, the bar and club district called 蘭桂坊 in Central is crowded with people dressed in all sorts of costumes. You'll find everything ranging from scary zombies, to sexy nurses, to cartoon characters, to bizarre Frankensteins or 科學怪人. These parties are typically accompanied by heavy amounts of alcohol and loud music. |
| If you prefer having an alcohol-free Halloween in Hong Kong, check out the Halloween Fest at Ocean Park or 海洋公園. There, people dressed as spooky creatures hide around the park and jump out at you when you least expect it. The scariest of these creatures are ghosts from classic Chinese ghost stories, like Chinese zombies 殭屍 and the white bone demon called 白骨精. The park also has haunted houses, or 鬼屋, and puts on spooky shows for visitors. |
| Many western restaurants in Hong Kong offer special Halloween services in October, such as servers dressed in Halloween costumes or surprise appearances by spookily-dressed staff to give diners a scary but exciting and thematic dining experience. |
| Now it's time to answer our quiz question- |
| Do you know how people in Hong Kong say "Trick or Treat"? |
| That was a trick question; in Hong Kong, it's said the same as it is in English! |
| How was this lesson? Did you learn anything interesting? How do people celebrate Halloween in your country? |
| Leave us a comment at CantoneseClass101.com. |
| We'll see you next time! |
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