Use the Doorbell

One of the nicest features of our flat in Hong Kong is that it because it is located away from the street cell phones will not work in it. If you try to call you will hear a ring but our phone never rings. We do not have land line phone; thus, we do not get disturbed by telephone calls. We have to go down stairs to call but that is a small price to pay for being absolutely undisturbed.  Where it becomes problematic is in dealing with people here who are addicted to their cell phones.

A prime example was last night. We had an appointment with the Census to come gather our relevant demographic particulars. We were home, watching TV waiting on them. They never came; or at least we didn’t know they came. This morning there was a card on our security gate from the Census stating they were there but we were not and requesting a new appointment. It also reminded us that it is unlawful for us to refuse to participate. I would bet a dollar to a doughnut-hole that the census taker stood right in front of our glowing door bell and tried to call us on their cell phone. They never rang the door bell.

It has happened before. Why it never occurs to anyone younger than about 40 in Hong Kong to ring a doorbell anymore is a question I can’t answer. But, there you go. I think I’m going to put a sign on the gate with a red arrow pointing to the door bell that says “USE THE Doorbell” in both English and Chinese. I’d put a negative appellation after the word doorbell such as “Fool,” “Idiot” or “Moron” but given the strange names people adopt here they’d probably think I was referring to a particular individual.

Until Next Time
Fai Mao
The doorbell using blogger