A matter of manners.

Manners anyone?

Oscar Wilde once stated, “youth is wasted on the young” while I may well concur with this, particularly as I approach the early 40’s, (is there such a thing?) It brings to attention the fact that not just youth is wasted on the young. Don’t get me wrong, I am all for X’ers and Y’s and whatever, what really is disappointing is the uncouth and rather frightful behavior of some people when in public. In particular as I write this, in the Club Lounge of a leading international airline.

To get to the point, what ever happened to manners and etiquette?

Just across from me is some gentlemen, (and I use the term loosely) sitting with his feet up on the table, it started with a toe, progressed to a foot and now both feet are firmly planted on an edifice designed and being used for serving food.

Just to set the record straight, I stopped making public scenes of retribution years ago, so being the passive aggressive type, I moved to another table. But it gets me thinking, why if someone, is well educated, travelling in business class or at least well travelled, committed to such poor standards of public behavior?

All in all, this brings me to the topic of falling standards in general, I am hip enough to accept jeans, even blue, now being worn at semi-formal events, but one needs to draw the line somewhere. While air travel itself has pretty much been reduced to being stuck in a large metal tube along with slipping standards of service does less really mean more?

Not too long ago, I was fortunate enough to meet up with some dear family friends, I was at the home of the parents of an old school chum, they, now in the 80’s, were reflecting on the golden age of air travel, and how on an Constellation, (it’s a type of aircraft) they travelled, in style with service and room to match from Australia to the UK. Of course it took days and the fares back then came at around the same altitude as the planes flew at! Either way it still sounded much nicer that how we travel today.

So while feathered hats a blue blazers may well be travel accessories of the past, all I really ask is if we have to travel, let’s just ensure we take our manners with us, no matter how we are travelling, there is no reason why our manners cannot be first class!

N.B- My forthcoming posts will be more relevant to the the Hong Kong dining scene!

Jasmine revolution ? China's Arab Winter?

Quote from Asia Wall Street Journal - 30th March, 2011

"China's crackdown on domestic dissenters continues, with a 10-year prison sentence issued on Friday to Liu Xianbin, a founder of the China Democratic Party and a signer of Charter 08, a pro-democracy charter. Mr. Liu was sentenced for subverting state power, which in China can mean anything the authorities want it to mean, even advocating for democratic freedoms.

Ten years is unusually harsh and especially so for the 43-year-old Mr. Liu, who has already served almost a decade behind bars. His wife, Chen Mingxian, was allowed to attend the trial otherwise closed to the public and she reports that Mr. Liu was routinely interrupted by the judge as he sought to defend himself. After serving his earlier prison term, Mr. Liu was harassed by security agents who made it difficult for him to hold a job.

Mr. Liu's latest jailing is part of a crackdown that started in February, when a U.S.-based website posted a call for peaceful democratic protests in China. Beijing proceeded to round up scores of activists, human rights lawyers and others. Some have been confined to house arrest; others, like blogger Ran Yunfei, have been criminally detained.

The most worrying cases are those who have simply "disappeared" into the maw of China's extralegal shadow jails. Human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng, who has been tortured before, hasn't been seen since April 2010. Teng Biao, Jiang Tianyong and Tang Jitian haven't been heard from since February.

The government is also squeezing the media, both domestic and foreign. The South China Morning Post reports that an outspoken columnist for Southern Weekly, a relatively liberal publication by Chinese standards, was recently pressured into a two-year "sabbatical." Internet censorship remains heavy. Foreign journalists in China's biggest cities have had their movements restricted and some have been physically assaulted by security agents.

China's cruelties deserve to be widely publicized and condemned in the West, not least so the country's brave activists know they are not suffering in vain. As in the Middle East, the democratic aspirations of the Chinese people will one day be impossible to contain. Here's hoping that Mr. Liu and his courageous countrymen live to see that day."

END Quote.

Office Romances?

A Fine Romance !

Marilyn Monroe once sung the song “A fine romance” while this was originally a movie score from the film “Swing Time” (an interesting title) with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Now what that has to do with this blog is indeed the thought of: the Office Romance, and that is a fine question.

Is it the lure of love or is it just plain lust that causes us to unwittingly or otherwise get involved in office romances at all? Perhaps it’s the attraction of power that makes us go after or fall for the boss, for the boss though is it the sinister fact that they wield power over a plethora of people and use this to their sexual advantage? Personally I believe it is wrong to misuse this kind of power, but alas it probably goes on all the time. After all this is Hong Kong with money comes power, often in that very order, also of course people in power often acquire considerable wealth. Case in point being so much in the press of late, what with various Dictators being deposed, then having their assets frozen. Or in the case of a certain leader of a European country with both power and money he gets kicked in the ass for so many alleged affairs both in and out of his “Office.”

Of course the ultimate Office Romance debacle was with the one time U.S President Bill Clinton and a certain young intern in his oral office, sorry I mean Oval Office. That issue certainly both stained and strained his term as President. (Yes pun intended). Other U.S Presidents also have a questionable past; this brings us back to Marilyn Monroe and none other than President Kennedy. Again, this fact seems even more obvious when Marilyn sang yet another song…Happy Birthday. It seems someone certainly carried a torch, or perhaps a candle at least for that particular President.

So putting aside Marilyn and Presidents for the moment, what about the humble folk that just get caught up in an Office Romance? Either with juniors or seniors, or just plain each other. Actually I couldn’t think of a less romantic place than the office to begin with, so how romances start from there is rather amazing anyway. I guess just getting thrust together with the same people in the same place day after day for hours on end doesn’t help either. Well after all some people spend more time with their colleagues than with their spouse, unless of course you work in the same office as your spouse, now that really is an un bearable thought!

So to all those either in an office romance or perhaps thinking about getting into one, all I can say, is stop it, you will go blind, go back to work instead!

$$$ Valentines Day$$$

Love, Money and Valentines Day.

Once upon a time, not too long ago, we use to refer to Valentines Day as Saint Valentines Day after the patron Saint of lust….sorry I mean Love* (in reality apparently some martyred Roman Priest during the reign of Claudius the second.) Of course centuries later none of that matters as long as randy devils get a pathetic excuse to palpitate for a supposed love one. Not to mention the effects of commercialism. Let’s face it, sex sells and no matter how romantic one intends to be love isn’t going to come cheap. Here in Hong Kong, despite the chilly weather, five star Hotels and posh restaurants, pulled out all stops to heat up the action and their coffers with “romantic getaways” and dinners. A leading Hotel, had a stunning one off package valued at USD 10,000 for the night, in the Presidential Suite, including a helicopter tour of the harbor, a diamond ring and Rolls Royce transfer. Another leading Restaurant touted the usual aphrodisiacs of Champagne and Oysters along with Caviar and Vodka. Sounds to me the only thing you are likely to get up for that night is a very upset stomach!

So why oh why do we bother with Valentines Day at all? Do single women pine for an unexpected romantic liaison? Do single men out there have a chance anyway?

I once knew one married couple, wherein the female stated, “who needs some card and gift, after ten years of marriage you should know by then if you are happy in love without all that nonsense.” Sounds to me like the romance has well and truly gone out the window on that marriage. Ok now here I will start to sound like a real hypocrite, however, in my defence I am a romantic at heart. So even after my very own fifteen years of marriage, I still give my wife a card and flowers on the V day itself. Even if I am not in the country at the time, if I was really that romantic, wouldn’t I make an effort to actually be there on the day?

Back to the sordid subject of money, how much does or should love cost, oh how I love thee let me count the cash….sorry I mean ways. Oprah once said, in life you can be surrounded by a whole bunch of people but the ones you want are not the ones that will only stick around while you have a Limo, but those that will also be with you when you have to catch a bus. Right I can really see that happening in Hong Kong, I don’t even know how to catch a bus here let alone anyone that actually does. So love may well be a pretty lonely place in Hong Kong after all.

So as Valentines Day passes us once again, I write this while listening to Sarah Vaughn signing “Sweet Affection.” Oh yes how sweet it is…enjoy$.

The torture of travel.

Travel- is an English word that is derived from the French equivalent as per the below….

Main Entry: tra·vail

Pronunciation: \trə-ˈvāl, ˈtra-ˌvāl\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from travailler to torment, labor, journey, from Vulgar Latin *trepaliare to torture, from Late Latin trepalium instrument of torture, from Latin tripalis having three stakes.

Indeed as I write this, several hundred travelers are stranded in the UK as a result of yet another tour operator going bust, in this case “Golden Trails”. Passengers holding tickets and hotel bookings from this firm find they are not worth the paper they are written on. So to the point, why do we travel when indeed for some it is possibly a paid form of self induced torture?

Speaking of induced torture, earlier in June I found myself rushing to leave the safe and embracing confines of the Dalian Shangri-La Hotel to get to the airport in time for my much anticipated flight back to Shanghai to connect onwards to Hong Kong after several grueling weeks on the road throughout China. Sadly no one at the hotel bothered to advise me that both in and outbound flights had in fact been suspended. Without boring all and sundry with the details, I then spent 7 laborious hours in Dalian Airport waiting for fog to lift (yes fog in summer!!!)

So again we beg the question of travel? The writer Paul Theroux boldly goes against the grain and is more than forthright on his thoughts on places and faces he encounters abroad. Similarly so I often leave people aghast with my candid views on places afar for example:

India – When asked on my thoughts on India I advise that the best part is leaving. Need I say more?

Singapore – Love the place…. especially the departure lounge.

Beijing – I can’t find a bad word that would suitably express my negative thoughts, so I guess I have nothing bad to say?

So I am being too negative you may say? There are divine places however, Thailand, Bali and Sicily, spring to mind. As does my adopted home city of Hong Kong. But when people with considerable un-contained glee tell me they are travelling, I express to them my sincere commiserations. To the average traveler, not as blessed as I with elite levels of frequent traveler memberships or an APEC travel card, the normal traveler faces long queues at the airport and immigration leaving and entering any country they visit. The same for boarding any aircraft. So with so much time taken up by these activities alone does the average traveler simply have too much time on their hands?

Personally, I adore, fast check-in, quick immigration clearance and equally speedy priority boarding. This leaves more time for the fun things in life, such as duty free shopping or simply extra time in the airline lounge to enjoy more champagne.

So whether it’s self induced torture for a quick trip away or a much needed business trip to meet up with clients, travel is here to stay. I will leave you with this thought, note that one airline is actually touting standing only flights, it makes regular economy suddenly seem appealing.

So wherever your travels may take you, on a wing and a prayer wishing you a safe trip.

Anthony Arrigo is an exasperated traveler living in Hong Kong.

Divine Dining - Cafe Gray Deluxe

Divine Dining – Hong Kong

The Restaurant

The city of Hong Kong certainly has no shortage of divine dining options; from cheap and cheerful to stratospheric on the wallet, the choice even beguiles the best buffet.

It’s a tough call out there with so many new restaurants opening and so many going by the wayside, but once in a while something special comes along, truly special, that elevates a meal from just eating out to an experience. Once such place opened not too long ago. That place is Café Gray Deluxe. Master minded by renowned Chef Gray Kunz, this unique venue offers substance along with style.

Location

In the heart of Pacific Place, lies the Upper House Hotel, being the inaugural Hong Kong Hotel for the Swire group. Just getting to the restaurant is an experience in itself; certainly in the evening the ambiance sets the tone for what’s in store. While modern minimalism is a feature of the Hotel, making ones way up the long sleek escalator with warm teak wood hues gives way to a lift lobby that then takes you to the top floor of the Hotel wherein lies on the 49^th Floor Café Gray Deluxe. A short candle lit hall leads to the interior. With the bar and cosy semi private booths on the right and the main dining area straight ahead, the inimitable style and refined aesthetics are both soothing and sophisticated.

Service

It’s not that hard to build and create a great looking restaurant, however, while one can build and create the most amazing places on earth it takes people to make them a reality. This is where Café Gray Deluxe exceeds expectations. Quality service should always be unobtrusive yet professional and efficient. Café Gray Deluxe is both. More than that, it’s carried out in a genuinely caring manner. Making this a place where casual meets sheik with attention to service. On our visit our service was superb and again proves that in Hong Kong, it is indeed the five star hotels that can attract and retain quality people.

Food

While there has been “mixed” reports in the media on the food, on our visit we ordered a variety of dishes, all of which were both enticing and delicious. Mixed Oysters with Crab legs (the latter already carefully slice open for easy access) being tastefully presented on a bed of ice, both the Oysters and the Crab were of the freshest and finest. Other dishes to follow where: Pork Chops tenderly cooked with a nice selection of vegetables, a whole Lemon Sole cooked to perfection with a tangy light lemon sauce, and Beef Cheeks, being tender and gelatinous accompanied by a light sauce and medley of vegetables. Now this is were some other reviews had differing thoughts, but my point is this. Good food done well, prepared fresh and with attention to detail is the key to success. It is a simple as that, and while some diners may have different conceptions or follow other fads in reality there is no need for food to be convoluted or complicated. This is where Café Gray Deluxe excels, with quality produce and a traditional approach, neither will never go out of style.

Overall it further elevates the dining status for which Hong Kong is famous. Dining at Café Gray Deluxe can be like dining anywhere else in the world and certainly comparable to, Tokyo, London, Paris and New York. No doubt the fact the Chef Gray Kunz, spent sometime at a very successful establishment in New York, evokes a major influence in this dining venue.

Personally I can’t wait to go back there!

http://www.cafegrayhk.com/

(This is an unbiased independent review, the visit was unannounced and the meal paid for)

Shanghai...but not as I knew it!

It's all about Shanghai baby!

Shanghai has always had a very special place in my heart, having lived there for a number of years some time ago, to go back to one's own "stomping ground" again and again years later and the memories come flooding back. This city, one time called the Paris of the east, well on my recent stay taking into account the sky rise glitz and madly lit up buildings, it now has a lot less to do with Paris and more to do with Las Vegas!

LED mania has stuck the city with both the buildings on the Bund and the boats themselves all sparkling with LED lights. All very pretty but seemingly superficial.

Looking at Shanghai now it does however, seem more sexy the ever. The vibe, the glam of the Pearl Tower, hovering over the city like a giant out of place sex toy. Honestly the architects of that building must have had some seriously repressed sexual tension when they designed and erected that thing.

The Pearl Tower aside, what makes Shanghai tick these days? While gone are the days of the Soong sisters and gang of four, there are new gangs. Gangs of uber upper middle class Chinese. Only 10 years ago the extent of their nightlife and social life would have been un heard of. Now days they are both hip and happening mingling with the adventurous expat and visiting business person in the sleek bars and stylish restaurants of Shanghai, the Bund and Xiantidi.

One new hotel is the Gran Melia, part of the Spanish chain it brings a warm Euro tone. Embracing the motto of “ Timeless Luxury with an avant-garde flair”. A large and impressive building, this is indeed one the most spectacular Shanghai Hotel openings of late. While on the Pudong side of the Bund it is still close to the established part of Shanghai with easy access to the major shopping and business areas near Nanjing Road.

Featuring a feast of restaurants dedicated to Spanish, Italian, and Chinese cuisines. All presented with flair and style. Service is timely and food quality excellent. From a room point of view, guests will notice that comfort and luxury are key, matched with outstanding bathrooms and amenities. All complemented with the usual appointments truly befitting a five star deluxe Hotel. Bund view rooms are a must and provide a superb view both day and night.At the end of one’s day a trip to the Spa level on the 30^th floor, will not disappoint. Indeed the layout of the Jacuzzi and space age relaxation grotto, complete with stunning views make for a true escape.

http://www.gran-melia-shanghai.com/en/

Meanwhile, over on the established side of Shanghai, a one time historic Art Deco building has been lovingly and faithfully restored to become the Langham Yangtze Shanghai. This boutique hotel with less the a hundred rooms represents the epitome of style, charm and grace of old Shanghai. Nestled close to the Bund this Hotel quite simply has become Shanghai’s “Pièce de résistance”. As a boutique Hotel, the property defines the meaning; the attention to detail and design along with sumptuous comfort is paramount. Upon entering the Hotel your every sense is filled, the “Langham Aroma” being an actual scent designed to complement the hotel greets you like a warm jasmine filled summer evening, then your eyes take in the subdued focus of warm muted and red tones, all this along with a Chinese Xither playing certainly strikes the right cord providing what is the ultimate welcome of any Hotel in Asia. At the same time I was fortunate enough to also be personally greeted by the Hotels charming Managing Director, Henk Meyknecht.

Once settled in, the room’s appointments complete with three balconies’ which includes one off the bathroom, sets the scene for what is most certainly a memorable stay. The elegant tones extend to each of the Hotels guest rooms. In both style and comfort you feel like you have stepped back in time but with all the convenience of modern living. Lush carpeting, massive bathrooms complete with a built in plasma television set into the bathroom wall just above the bath itself is an extra indulgence. The attention to authentic Art Deco detail even extends to the air-conditioning grills in the ceiling, so as to subtly blend in with stunning décor.

The Hotels dining selection, with an Italian style Café-Deli, Japanese and Chinese restaurants gives you even more reason to simply stay in. I dinned with Henk in Ciao, the Italian Café; we both enjoyed the Baked Salmon with Fettuccini accompanied by a home made selected of bread and foccacia. The food and service excellent both sublime in a casual yet refined ambiance and the perfect end to the evening.

http://yangtzeboutique.langhamhotels.com/

The best thing about Shanghai is to experience all the new things it has to offer, it’s great to have this combined with some charm of yesteryear. To watch out for is the soon to open and also Art Deco, the renowned Peace Hotel, managed by Fairmont.