Success is measured by how much you earn. This is sacred principle in Hong Kong that nobody dares to challenge. People who pursue their own ideals, rather than money, are regarded as a minority.
Talking with youngsters including teenagers and university students, I found most were quite concerned about their future career and were also bewildered about the purpose of their lives. Some wonder why they have to struggle throughout their life for a few hundred square feet of land.
Look at the graduates' job hunting phenomenon, for example. Despite the financial tsunami, countless high-caliber university graduates flock to apply for jobs in the financial market. The majority do not even have a clue about the nature of their work and, more importantly, whether these jobs suit them.
The key reason to compete for a place in the financial industry is income and, perhaps, peer pressure. Senior management in the banking sector rarely live in places other than Mid-Levels and West Kowloon, and they are big fans of Porsche, Mercedes, and Jaguar as well as regular consumers of luxury products. Any one of these factors is enough to lure the graduates.
Have any of them considered pursuing their ideals instead of entering the financial arena? I am sure at some point it crossed their mind but not for very long.
From many Hongkongers' perspective, US President-elect Barack Obama's story is unbelievable. Upon graduating from Columbia University, he worked in community service for a couple of years instead of entering the lucrative business sector. With a second degree in law from Harvard University, he stuck to his principles in serving the public and chose to focus on human rights ligitation. Again, a much less profitable area compared with commercial and corporate practice.
Obama went his own way because of his values and faith. He believes he needs to look after the less fortunate and capable. He sets an example for others on social responsibility. He gave up lucrative opportunities and committed himself to community service at the start of his career.
Another example is our Legco president Tsang Yok-sing. He graduated with first-class honours from Hong Kong University in the 1960s. Back then, university graduates were scarce in the job market and were sought after by leading companies offering tremendous prospects.
Nevertheless, to the surprise of many of his schoolmates, Tsang chose to embark on a teaching career straight after college.
In the following decades, he witnessed many of his fellow alumni becoming senior managers, some making a fortune. Perhaps he was taunted by some of them, but this has by no means shaken his belief in the course of his career. It seems to me that if he were to choose his way again, he would do the same thing.
Obama and Tsang might be viewed as a minority in Hong Kong as will, say, others working for nonprofit organizations. If you are a competent person, parents and peers will convince you that you shouldn't waste your potential in matters other than chasing money.
But is this the only thing you seek? We have only a short lifespan, and we all attempt to pursue our own happiness.
Although money does matter, one's accomplishments ought not to be measured only in terms of money.
Athletes are not rewarded by cash, but by pride in winning and satisfaction from their efforts after tough training. Teachers are rewarded by the satisfaction of educating students. Being brought up in a society engulfed in materialism, I fully understand the difficulty in not following the mainstream. But ask yourself: how much money do you really need in life?
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