Which Way to Go - Left or Right in Hong Kong?

Hong Kong (Hongkers from now on) is a funny spot. I was there many months ago and have been meaning to share an observation. A good friend recently commented on the same thing so I’ve decided I’m not crazy, so here it is:

People in Hongkers drive on the left-hand side of the road, but walk on the right-hand side of the footpath.

I’ve been to plenty of places across the world, but I don’t remember this phenomenon occurring anywhere else I’ve been. Whether it is consciously or subconsciously, people walking will usually stick to the same side of the footpath (or hallway, stairs etc.) as to which they stick to when driving or riding their vehicles. Even when I lived in Tanzania, where only a tiny percentage of the population actually drove, they still followed this general rule when walking. I guess it gets drilled into us like rats getting electric shocks – when we bump (or nearly bump) into someone we learn from the mistake and adjust our actions accordingly.

So why are the people in Hongkers so bonkers? I assume that the reasons are as follows:

-          Hongkerians drive on the left because they used to be a British colony, and Brits drive on the left

-          Hongkerians walk on the right because most Hongkerians have a Chinese mainland heritage, and the mainlanders walk and drive on the right

Assuming this is the case, I find it interesting that the passing of time has not caused the walkers to veer to the left. Maybe they will in the future just to give the Chinese government the s***s!!!