China's Super Business Agent

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses the marketing tactics used by high-end bars in Hong Kong to justify their expensive cocktail prices, the author's favorite beer spot, and the author's thoughts on structuring one's social life. It also covers topics such as the popularity of McDonald's McGriddles in Hong Kong, a profile of a French entrepreneur living in China, and the charitable work of a priest in Hong Kong.

🙋 Q&A

[01] Introduction: Structuring Social Life

1. What are the two types of friend groups described in the article? The article describes two types of friend groups:

• Centralized friend groups: One large cluster of friends who share the same history, beliefs, and behaviors, usually fitting into one box like "school friends" or "work friends".
• Decentralized friend groups: Many small clusters of different friends who aren't connected, with the only thing in common being that they know the person. Examples include ambitious friends, fun friends, serious friends, relaxed friends, fitness friends, hometown friends, and traveling friends.

2. Why does the author recommend having decentralized friend groups? The author recommends having decentralized friend groups because it reduces mimetic binary thinking. With decentralized friends living different lives, there are many different tides going on, so the person is not pulled in any one direction and is free to think for themselves, rather than just copying the crowd.

[02] Bars and Cocktails in Hong Kong

1. What are the key tactics described for making cocktails expensive in Hong Kong? The article outlines several tactics used by bars in Hong Kong to justify high cocktail prices:

• Using rare or expensive ingredients like a 1969 cognac
• Turning the cocktail creation into a theatrical performance, like bartenders tossing and twirling shakers
• Designing the bar with a refined, Prohibition-era aesthetic to evoke a sense of luxury and mystery
• Adding a 10% service charge on top

2. Why does the author say the "Top 50 Best Bars" list is more of a marketing campaign than a true guide? The author suggests the "Top 50 Best Bars" list is more of a massive PR campaign to promote the bars around, rather than a true guide, given the marketing tactics used by these high-end bars to create a sense of exclusivity and luxury.

[03] Other Topics

1. What is the author's favorite beer spot in Hong Kong? The author's favorite beer spot in Hong Kong is the rooftop bar Cadillac in Causeway Bay, which has a great happy hour.

2. What are the two charitable organizations the priest, Father John, is involved with in Hong Kong? The two charitable organizations Father John is involved with are:

• Voice for Prisoners, which tries to stop drug trafficking in and around Hong Kong prisons
• MercyHK, which helps various categories of needy people in Hong Kong, including operating a canteen that serves food like tuna corn dumplings.

3. What is the story behind the French entrepreneur, Jean Baptiste Déal, and his company Avantagents? Jean Baptiste Déal is a French entrepreneur who is fluent in Mandarin and acts as a bridge between China and the rest of the world. He started his own company, Avantagents, after leaving the corporate world, using his language skills, cultural awareness, negotiation abilities, and network to help companies with go-to-market and investment projects between China and other markets.