In Hong Kong, life's a queue

Hong Kong (CNS)--In Hong Kong, life is a queue and then you wait. Queuing is an essential part of Hong Kong culture.

Hong Kong people queue for book exhibitions, animation events, bus rides, teahouse tables, public washrooms, etc. Queuing occurs everywhere for every service.

When Italian brand Versace and the boutique chain H&M jointly promoted a number of limited edition products at bargainprices in November 2011, over 300 people were waiting outside the dorrs before the stores opened.

Frequent long queues in Hong Kong demonstrate the city's economic potential, analysts say, which has been enhanced by the growing purchasing power of consumers from the mainland.

Every time Apple launches a new product in the city, consumers from Hong Kong, mainland China and South Asia arrive in droves and form massive queues. When the iPhone 4S debuted at Hong Kong's flagship store in November 2011, a long line wound all the way from the International Finance Center to a nearby overhead bridge.

Queues are seen everywhere, but Hong Kong people understand the spirit of queuing and are influencing visitors. It is common to see trendy ladies from the mainland patiently waiting in long queues in front of famous brand stores, wearing high-heels.

Intellectuals compare Hong Kong to an "urn" with limited room but also infinite possibilities. Hong Kong people grow up in the "urn", get used to it, adopt a practical, down-to-earth attitude towards life, and accept the effective allocation of limited resources by means of first come, first served.