Working at The Banque Nationale de Paris (BNP) in the Tourist District of Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong from 1967 to 1970, I had the opportunity to meet with a large number of tourists from all over the world, American, British, Australian, Vietnamese and last but not least French speaking nationals.
They came in the Bank mainly to exchange their home currency into Hong Kong dollars. Others came to park some of their money in a stable and free of exchange control Hong Kong, the Vietnam War (1955 to 1975) was a destabilizing factor to many of the countries in Asia.
Moroccan Encounter: In the 1960’s, Hong Kong was a manufacturing hub. Well before “Made in China” goods filled the shelves of western establishments starting around 1990’s, “Made in Hong Kong” goods were king. Businessmen from all over the world flocked to Hong Kong to place orders for goods ranging from toys to household appliances, from footwear to wigs to garments. Import and Export Firms sprang all over Hong Kong, serving as middleman between overseas buyers and local manufacturers. Because I speak French, I was often asked to help interpret for our Bank customers whenever their French speaking buyers were in town. Here I got acquainted with a Moroccan businessman, a Mr. Bennis. Strangely, he spoke French but could not write. Often, I wrote letters for him in French as he dictated the contents. It never crossed my mind that I should charge for my service, I just enjoyed doing it. On one occasion though, as he was having some custom shirts made, he also had a couple made for me, with my initial “gy” embroidered on the cuffs in blue threads. It made me feel stylish and awesome wearing these shirts. On another occasion, he said to me “Would you like to go and work for me in Casablanca”. I was taken aback with this offer but deep inside I felt proud of my usefullness and abilities. The prospect of living in the mysterious and exotic Moroccan city of Casablanca really excited me. The movie “Casablanca” featuring Humphrey Bogart must have impressed me deeply. I was fascinated with Morocco’s unique architecture, music, cuisine, belly dancers. Yet, it was queer that hardly had I settled in Hong Kong that I was ready to embark on another adventure. “Yes, I like to go to Morocco” I told him with gleaming eyes. I provided him with the necessary information for immigration purposes. Somehow, the plan never materialized, in hindsight I wondered if he was just pulling wool over my eyes or it was just my destiny.
African Encounter: One sunny afternoon a High-Ranking Minister from Ivory Coast, came to the branch to look for our Manager, a Mr. Tomatis, who was prior posted in Abidjan, hence the acquaintance. Among other things, The Minister and his wife wanted to buy some Chinese style furniture. Hong Kong was then known as the Pearl of the Orient and an Asian shopping paradise. You could find anything here, camera, toys, electronics, furniture, ivory carvings, custom made suit. I was asked to be his guide. The Bank car was at our disposal and the driver, a Cantonese speaking smart fellow, drove us to several furniture shops. As the distinguished guests were browsing through the shop, the driver discreetly hinted that we could ask the Shop owner for some commission or “kick back” as commonly known. It was fashionable for shop owners to pay commission to anybody bringing in customers to their shops, I was aware of but never expected to experience it. The driver had a quick chat with the owner, and when our adventure was over, we had each earned two thousand Hong Kong dollars from the purchase of forty thousand dollars worth of Chinese traditional furniture. To put it in perspective, two thousand dollars was equivalent to six months of my salary, and forty thousand dollars could buy a small apartment. What an Afternoon!
French Encounter: One time, a French gentleman in his fifties came to the Bank to exchange money, he suggested that I showed him around a little bit, his English being poor. No problem, I said. So, after finishing work, I met him in front of the Bank and took him around Tsim Sha Tsui, visiting a number of shops. He invited me to dinner which I graciously accepted. Afterwards he suggested that he had a small gift to offer to me in appreciation of my assistance, we went to his hotel room. He dug into his luggage for a small souvenir gift, sat on the edge of the bed, signalled me to sit next to him, and offered me the gift. As I was looking at the item, he caressed my right thigh. My immediate reaction was to move away, and I thought “what a weird man he is”. I was so innocent and did not know his intention. It was only a long time after that I learned about “Homosexuality” and hence the explanation for this strange behaviour.
Japanese Encounter: It was an amazing feat for Japan to emerge as the most advanced economy in Asia, just two decades after its surrender in 1945. In 1960’s, Japanese tourists came to visit Hong Kong in large number, most of the time in group tours, led by a guide brandishing a small flag on a long stick. The local people admired and have great respect for the Japanese tourists for their good, quiet, discreet, disciplined behavior. Somehow, I made acquaintance with a Japanese gentleman in his late thirties, he was posted to Hong Kong and lived in a Company paid apartment on Austin Road. He was learning French and at his request, I spent several months helping him practice his French. It was free lesson, but this gentleman unselfishly reciprocated with a gift. It is in me to help anybody who seeks my assistance, to the best of my ability, without expecting any reward. It is my philosophy that if everyone can help one other person, this world would be a better place to live.