Hong Kong - Dress code at Tin Lung Heen, Ritz-Carlton

[klyeoh]

One-Michelin-star Tin Lung Heen on the 102nd floor of the Ritz-Carlton sure had some gender-bias when it comes to dress code. Its web-site states:

"Dress Code: No dress code for ladies. No beach sandals, sleeveless shirts and shorts for gentlemen"

So, you can have a guy in a suit accompanied by a bikini-clad partner?

[NilesCable]

I think the same as Phil. I can imagine guys going to such a Restaurant in shorts and sandals, but I cant imagine a girl in her right mind going with less than a skirt and nice fitting top.

[PhilD]

Maybe they recognise that it is the men who need the help and guidance whilst the women need little advice. My observation is that many men struggle to get it right in HK and often these guidelines are aimed at the younger expats who tend to dress for the beach due to the heat rather than for a meal in five star hotel.

[M_Gomez]

I do agree, but the Hongkongers/locals in the service industry also tend to be very servile when faced with Caucasian/Western young expats, and would rarely challenge these young men on the way they dress or behave, even if inappropriate for a fine dining restaurant. These young expats also tend to treat local Chinese with condescension, bordering almost upon old British colonial attitudes. Oh well, it takes all sorts to make up this world, I guess. Amongst themselves, I know HKers talked amongst themselves about boorish bullies with racist attitudes from the West.

[NilesCable]

That is something I will never understand, as I live by the rule to treat others as I want to be treated by them. Helps in private life the same as in business.

[PhilD]

MG - I agree, I see it and it makes me cringe. That said the RC is probably one of the tougher ones.

My favourite was a family (not expat) at Amber who were head to toe in matching black Addidas - shoes, track suits, t-shirts, bags etc. They looked like a '70's Olympic team - I bet it wasn't a cheap look - maybe thy were being ironic.

[Uncle Yabai]

Well, that could be considered stylish in its own retro gauche noveau riche way.

[NilesCable]

That must have been a sight to behold. But as Uncle Yabai put it, this could be modern retro style. And if it doesn't look to "off" I would count it as OK. I wouldn't do it, but it also wouldn't disturb me.