I spent more than an hour at the Tamar exhibition when it was held at Queensway. I walked in and was given a brochure explaining how I should choose the design best representing Hong Kong.
I looked around, but the four tenderers had no one on hand to explain their designs - unlike the West Kowloon project.
The brochure advises that I should make my choice based on various criteria, including aesthetics, iconic style, sustainability, the blend with surrounding structures, the airflow, ridgeline, and the like.
However, the staff at the exhibition said they were not in a position to explain anything to me. I wandered around, studying the designs. Many couples came in holding hands, pointed at the designs and mumbled something.
One man, who sounded quite knowledgeable, was explaining one design to two other people. I tried to eavesdrop, but one of the attendants approached, and the man stopped talking and moved away. It was as if 'Big Brother' was watching. Why the secrecy?
Actor Andy Lau Tak-wah is campaigning for better service in Hong Kong's shops to improve the city's image. This is necessary because people like to know what they are buying.