Yep. It's probably not local HK people--they've got better things to do with their time and have a stronger sense of privacy. You're encountering Mainlanders, I'm pretty sure. If it bothered me or creeped me out I would approach them and tell them not to do it or even contact the air flight staff as that behavior is intrusive.
Locals snapping pictures of my children?
- Thread starter erina320
- Start date
Yep. It's probably not local HK people--they've got better things to do with their time and have a stronger sense of privacy. You're encountering Mainlanders, I'm pretty sure. If it bothered me or creeped me out I would approach them and tell them not to do it or even contact the air flight staff as that behavior is intrusive.
My son (almost 7) gets pretty uncomfortable when people try to take pics of him so he says no but my daughter (almost 2) loves it now! We were in central yesterday and she was out of her buggy in a shopping mall and there were mainland tourists taking pics of themselves, she smiled at me and said "mummy pictures... cheese" and walked straight into the middle of them to get her pic taken too! They were all laughing and then asked could they take a pic of her... I could hardly say no when she instigated the whole thing!
That's pretty cute Amy
I have mixed feelings about the topic but if a situation were to ever make me or my child feel uncomfortable I'd definitely make it known. I get the same treatment when I'm out with my standard poodle. People are just fascinated to see one and can't help but take pictures.
I have mixed feelings about the topic but if a situation were to ever make me or my child feel uncomfortable I'd definitely make it known. I get the same treatment when I'm out with my standard poodle. People are just fascinated to see one and can't help but take pictures.
nicolejoy
Registered User
I also am very mixed about this subject. In some ways, I don't really care, particularly if my kids aren't objecting... my first daughter has ALWAYS been "paparazzied" - she is mixed and is quite pretty if I may say so myself. My 2nd daughter is also gorgeous - but she has a form of dwarfism, and I'm much more protective of her. When people photograph her, it's easier for me to assume that it's because she's noticeably different. Many people around the world with dwarfism "struggle" with people taking photos of them everywhere they go - and if you look on youtube, there are a lot of videos of them obviously taken by strangers on their cell phones etc... It bothers me that my daughter may have to deal with that all her life, just because she looks "different". So for her, I have a MUCH stronger reaction now than I previously did before she was born...
erina320
Registered User
Nicolejoy- I feel for your situation. Just reading your story makes my "Mommy instinct" kick in to over drive and want to protect your little girl from what in time could make her self-conscious.
Honestly, I didn't/don't have a problem with people taking pictures, that is until the guy on the plane. It was so intrusive and he took SO many pictures throughout the flight that it made my daughter, myself and my husband uncomfortable. In hindsight I wish I had asked the flight attendant to ask him to stop.
Honestly, I didn't/don't have a problem with people taking pictures, that is until the guy on the plane. It was so intrusive and he took SO many pictures throughout the flight that it made my daughter, myself and my husband uncomfortable. In hindsight I wish I had asked the flight attendant to ask him to stop.
PurpleFlower
Registered User
You know what? A mainlander actually TOOK my baby out of my arms and took him to her seat a few months back when we were on a plane! She didn't take the hint when I turned away from her (with baby in my arms). She just leant over and TOOK him! I was shocked but when I looked over at my husband, he just gave the look of "she can't go far" (she was only two rows behind us) that I didn't react. Luckily, they didn't take him for long. Felt really uncomfortable and don't think I'll let anyone do that again!
Purple Flower -- I would have complained to the air crew. That is totally unacceptable.
And I'm sorry to stereotype, but I bet the majority of the staring / unwanted photo taking / touch other peoples' children are from mainland Chinese. Hong Kongers may be loud, but they are much more aware of privacy / etiquette issues with other peoples' kids.
And I'm sorry to stereotype, but I bet the majority of the staring / unwanted photo taking / touch other peoples' children are from mainland Chinese. Hong Kongers may be loud, but they are much more aware of privacy / etiquette issues with other peoples' kids.
missidealiste
Registered User
I'm very defensive when it comes to protection of my baby especially when it's a mainlander that approach us. Aside of germs that any strangers can transmit to baby, I heard too many horror stories of baby traffickers. My friend was even offered to "sell" her baby while we were in Shenzhen few years ago..
http://english.cri.cn/6909/2011/07/28/53s650762.htm
To all mommy out there, beware. If someone were to make me n my family uncomfortable, I would deal it directly. I doubt the flight attendant would be able to stop this... It doesn't seem the person that took those pic know how to respect ppl at the first place... I cant speak the same "language" when the situation required...
http://english.cri.cn/6909/2011/07/28/53s650762.htm
To all mommy out there, beware. If someone were to make me n my family uncomfortable, I would deal it directly. I doubt the flight attendant would be able to stop this... It doesn't seem the person that took those pic know how to respect ppl at the first place... I cant speak the same "language" when the situation required...
This is a very hard topic to deal with. If they are determined to take a photo of your child, they will all but stalk you to get the right shot. My daughter (6.5) in particular has been "paparazzied" (love that term Nicolejoy) since the day we got to HK. I go through phases of 'eh - whatever' to 'extremely annoyed' and so does my daughter. There are a few hot spots for us where it can be almost prolific - HK Disneyland, Ocean Park, anywhere in TST and the beaches being the worst. It is mostly mainlanders, but we've also had issues with Japanese and South African tourists among others. We had several incidences yesterday at HK Disneyland where people were constantly trying to get a shot of my daughter to the point I just put my hand over her face for much of the time we were there. On top of that, we had a mainland chinese man keep trying to get close enough while we were in line for "Small World" to try and touch her. He reached out a couple of times and I pulled her away so that she was eventually shielded by my husband and myself. It is one thing to take a photo, entirely another to touch. Some people seem almost obsessed with wanting to touch her hair and head. What is up with that? She hates it and it creeps me out.
Most of the time I ask my daughter if she is ok with people taking her photo and depending on her reaction allow, or not. Of course, people don't seem to understand no and just become more discreet (or so obviously indiscreet you can't help but roll your eyes) about it.
PurpleFlower - what that person did is totally NOT ok in my opinion. If anyone tried to wander off with one of my kids, plane or not, I would be going off at them and complaining.
Most of the time I ask my daughter if she is ok with people taking her photo and depending on her reaction allow, or not. Of course, people don't seem to understand no and just become more discreet (or so obviously indiscreet you can't help but roll your eyes) about it.
PurpleFlower - what that person did is totally NOT ok in my opinion. If anyone tried to wander off with one of my kids, plane or not, I would be going off at them and complaining.