It's said the best ideas are the simplest and How2?.. is one of those ideas that's so simple yet so useful you can't help thinking, 'Damn, I wish I'd thought of that.'
The man who did is bound to be laughing all the way to the bank soon. Not that that was his motivation or desire. Tim Dickinson is an affable, engaging sort of chap who has done very well for himself in the financial sector - in which he was immersed for 38 years, with his wife, Sheila.
The British couple pitched up in Hong Kong five years ago, following their daughter, and Dickinson says it was 'love at first sight'.
'I love Hong Kong's vibrancy; its food, the people, the attractions - everything,' he says.
It was while taking a visitor out for dinner that Dickinson had his eureka moment. He and his Australian friend wanted to eat dim sum, which can be a daunting undertaking for non-Cantonese speakers. Dickinson hit upon the idea of compiling a miniature guide that includes photos and descriptions of different types of dim sum along with the name written in Chinese and also spelt out phonetically so that gweilos can get their tongues around it.
From there the idea mushroomed, until he ended up with eight short, simple guides. The series includes How2?.. order dim sum; enjoy the sights; amuse the kids; get around; eat with the kids; find great bars; eat internationally; and pamper yourself in Hong Kong.
