The Vultures

They crowd the exits of the subway station -- so much so that the MTR people have set up barricades to prevent them from entering within however-many-feet of the doorway. In their black suits, they lean over the railing, watching, waiting for their prey.

Once you've gotten past the exit barrage, it's not over yet. Enterprising ones choose not to stand with the crowd but to try and claim their own spot... every inch of the way from the station to the building and through the mall to the resident elevators. They're persistent with their leaflets and calls for your attention. But above all, they're always watching you, sizing you up -- your age, your income, your worth as a potential customer. It's worse than walking past a construction site.

So what do these vultures want from you? To buy an apartment, of course. As if upon their suggestion, you might suddenly feel moved to own a place. Yes, that's right. These vultures are property agents.

The sight of them makes me shudder and I consider their presence and invasion of public space a personal affront. Hong Kong is crowded enough as it is. The last thing I need is to navigate crowds of loitering, soliciting suits on my very doorstep. Besides, let's be realistic -- NO ONE is randomly walking up to impulse buy apartments. If they're interested, they'll find you. Go wait in your office!