Many of us have seen non-Chinese people donned with tattoos of Chinese characters as they are considered a popular and fashionable form of self-expression in the West. Chinese characters are undeniably beautiful little pieces of visual art, so why wouldn’t foreigners be fascinated by such an exotic looking script? However, to many Chinese, tattoos bear a negative connotation; and it’s nothing to do with their appearance. Some associate those who have tattoos, especially certain types of tattoos like tigers and dragons, with criminal organisations such as the local triads. The more conservative types believe that the body is a sacred gift from one’s parents and should not be altered in any permanent form. Therefore, tattooing is deemed highly undesirable in Chinese society. A shrunken bowl of wonton noodles and the true value of the Hong Kong brand I recently saw a photo on Facebook of a Caucasian man covered with a tattoo comprising four Chinese characters on the side of his leg that read zyu yuk caau faan ; this translates as “fried rice with pork” in English. You can imagine the hilarious comments from other Facebook users who were privy to the young man’s faux pas (if it even was one). This isn’t the first Chinese character tattoo I’ve seen that featured random characters or were lost in translation. I’ve seen all manner of things tattooed on someone, ranging from Chinese takeaway food items (not all of which were intentional) to a hotchpotch of inspiring words like “bravery” that were poorly translated. But hey, people can get whatever they want as a tattoo; it’s their body and therefore their choice what they put on it. We shouldn’t make fun or laugh at people who choose to wear Chinese characters as tattoos. On the contrary, we should applaud and thank them for admiring and promoting Chinese culture for all to see. But perhaps we could check in with them to make sure they know what the Chinese words mean. If they don’t, we can gently tell them and maybe they would get another tattoo of some more meaningful Chinese characters. For people who don’t understand Chinese characters, this form of script style must appear stylish and artistic as if they are beautiful images to them. In fact, early Chinese characters were simplified pictorial images commonly known as Oracle Bone script. This is because they were used for the purposes of divination and were carved onto the underside of turtle shells or the scapula of large animals such as oxen. An interesting tattoo often makes a good talking point, or it is a way for people to signify their allegiance to something. People who decide to get tattoos to perhaps proclaim their beliefs, or display their love for something or someone. I once met a foreigner who had a tattoo of the Chinese exclamatory phrase ai yah , which is a versatile Cantonese expression of surprise. He had it tattooed on his shoulder because he loves Cantonese so much and thinks this phrase sums up the expressive nature of the language. Tours of glamorous Hong Kong homes could boost embattled sector Hong Kong desperately needs foreigners like this who love the city so much that they are willing to openly express their fondness for it as often as possible and in whichever form they can. We are in dire need of these unofficial “ambassadors” to speak to the world about Hong Kong’s qualities, its innate charm, and uniqueness. We need people like this to sing its praises whenever permissible because Hongkongers aren’t doing enough at the moment. But then again, they have other things to worry about and perhaps they find it hard to see the beauty in their home city at this present moment. Even local residents could benefit from being reminded of the beauties and wonders of their home city. It’s hard to remember what a great place Hong Kong is if they’re distracted by all the chaos that is currently engulfing it. Due to the ongoing protests and pandemic — which happened one after the other — an increasing number of people are emigrating because they fear for the future of Hong Kong. With the government tightening its grip on the pro-democracy protest movement in recent months, many are seeking greener pastures. Government figures are showing some 50,000 people emigrated in the second half of last year after months of protests and escalating violence. In December last year, 20,000 people applied to the police for a certificate of no criminal conviction, which is a mandatory document for people wanting to emigrate. Figures showed a 60 per cent increase over the same period compared to the previous year. Knowing this, we need to work collectively to redefine the zeitgeist of this period of Hong Kong, otherwise those who choose to stay will have to bear the brunt of being left behind in a destitute city and a place of little hope and future. Hongkongers, here and everywhere, need to tell the world about the city’s “Hongkongness”: the uniqueness of their home city. This means telling everyone about its hidden gems and its eclectic heritage. Hongkongers have plenty to be proud of, and they should be shouting it from the rooftops. Even those who have chosen to leave and set up life elsewhere should not forget what the city has given them, especially at a time when their home city needs them the most. Luisa Tam is a Post correspondent who also hosts Cantonese-language video tutorials that are now part of Cathay Pacific’s in-flight entertainment programme