HK Woman Regrets Migrating to the UK, Losing Her HK$1 Million Salary Job, Now Only Works as a Supermarket Cashier!
Recently, Dao Ge came across a video of a 40-year-old woman. Before leaving Hong Kong, her resume was impressive: she started working as a journalist at age 20, interviewed big names like Jackie Chan and Stephen Chow, and even had conversations with top group TFBOYS; at 35, she became the head of publicity for a movie company; at 39, she received a scholarship from the University of St Andrews in Scotland to pursue a master's degree in film. During her time in Hong Kong, she was an elite in the media industry, with a stable annual salary of HK$1.8 million.
HK$1.8 million is approximately RMB 1.6 million. Although living costs are high in Hong Kong, this income definitely belongs to the top tier of high-income earners, not only meaning a superior quality of life but also representing her influence and resource accumulation within the industry. What is the current job content of this former senior executive? She now works in a supermarket, moving goods, restocking, and working as a cashier. As for her income? After tax, she earns between £1,600 to £1,800 per month, and if she is in London, it might be slightly higher, around £1,900 to £2,100.
At the current exchange rate, £2,000 is roughly about RMB 18,000. Annually, her after-tax income is less than RMB 220,000. From an annual income of HK$1.8 million to an annual income of RMB 200,000 or so, this is not just a drastic drop in income, but also a vertical fall in social class. More importantly, the contacts she accumulated in Hong Kong, her deep understanding of the Chinese entertainment industry, and her experience managing a team of dozens, all these have almost gone to zero behind the checkout counter in a British supermarket.
Many Hong Kong people migrate in pursuit of a "peaceful life," thinking that the air is sweet and the pace is slow abroad. But don't forget that inflation in the UK has been on the rise in recent years, and prices have skyrocketed. In London, £1,800, after deducting rent, transportation, and meals, the remaining money may only be enough to maintain basic dignity, and maintaining the previous elite level of consumption is nothing short of a fantasy. This stark contrast quickly makes many Hong Kong people deeply regret their decision.
Dao Ge thinks that the cross-border movement of high-end service industry talents is far more difficult than that of technical talents such as programmers and engineers. Code is universal worldwide, but culture, media, law, and management are deeply rooted in local soil. Moreover, one cannot forget their roots, nor can they forget who nurtured them.
This lady clearly regrets it. She uprooted a towering tree that grew in a specific soil and planted it in another completely different land without the original root support, and it quickly withered. Dao Ge thinks this is a reminder for everyone considering emigration: don't just focus on the welfare and scenery there, first ask yourself, how much of your core competitiveness remains after leaving your original platform and resources? Is the UK really welcoming you?
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1858238000104715/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.