Blog 3

Blog 3

What is the refined research question that you are setting out to answer? (Please be specific in your research topic)

How Hong Kong-style Teahouse has become a subcultural place for neighbors / old generations to emerge and gather.

How does this develop themes and debates explored within the lectures of this module? (Please put down the revised short introduction to your project based on the one in blog 2. Remember that the introduction should include the purpose of your research project, significance and key concept(s) that may be useful for your analysis.)

The aim of my research is to explore, discover and investigate Cha chan teng, which is a part of the Hong Kong’s local culture and it is one of the collective and unforgettable memories for me and the old generations. Besides, I would like to find out whether Cha chan teng culture is still an important and popular in Hong Kong nowadays. Meanwhile, to what extent, does it represents Hong Kong local culture and valuable / unique to the society. As a result, it is necessary to promote this culture to the younger generations and maintain the unique culture in Hong Kong at the same time. Also, the historical value of Cha chan teng should be affirmed. To sum up, it is a unique / special result of history and the meeting of cultures since Hong Kong-style teahouse has stable diners and the prices of dishes are reasonable as well. It totally suits the behavior of Hong Kong residents, which is the flexibility and convenience of Cha chan teng since there is usually one within walking distance in Hong Kong. Subculture theory could be used in this research, such as the identity of Cha chan teng and what it means and influences the neighbors and old generations.

What critical methodologies are you going to use? How are you going to produce the evidence you’ll need to answer your research question?

Example: In-depth interviews with five immigrants from Mainland China

1) Field observation: the number of customers / elderly / neighbors, the interaction between them in Cha chan teng in a day, how much time they spend on it, what specific term / language the man "伙記" and the boss "老闆" would say to them. The position of the different furniture, such as the roundtable, table for four and pantry.

2) Qualitative research: interviewing 20 old generations which are most likely retired people and house wife. In order to observe why they would like to have dishes in Cha chan teng than fast food shops. (e.g. McDonald, Café de Carol, Pizza Hut) in the past few week / month. The number of question on the questionnaire I conduct is around 10 and it’s mainly about their awareness, participation, attitude towards Cha chan teng culture. For example, what they like / dislike about it, how often do they go there and their opinions regards to the importance and traditional / local value of Cha chan teng culture.

Now you should have some references in mind. If so, please put down a short reference list at the end of this blog so that you have a better plan of what articles that you are go to read for the project. 

Mable J. Woo, (2007). Identity and Community in Hong Kong-Style Tea Cafés

Mabel, L. (2010). Assessment of neighbourhood's perception to qualify the social significance of "Dai Pai Dongs" at Stanley Street

(Please also complete the following parts in the hard copy of your research proposal if you are going to do ethnographic study and interviews in a location where you may encounter potential dangers. Otherwise you can leave the following parts blank.) 

What physical resources (e.g. camera) will this primary research require?

No / Yes (Please specify): questionnaire, mobile phone for voice recording; paper, pen and sheet for dropping down notes if necessary.

Where and when exactly is this primary research going to take place?

(NB for health and safety reasons, we need to know the EXACT locations at which this research will take place and the EXACT times that you’ll be working there)

Place(s):	Wah Fai Restaurant & Cake Shop  (華輝餐廳) G/F, 17 Heung Sze Wui Square, Tai Po	Ying Kee Restaurant  (英記食店） G/F, 12 San Kan Street, Sheung Shui
Date and Time:	18-Mar, from 8am to 12pm	20-Mar, from 8am to 12pm

Which key persons (e.g. family members, trustworthy friends, business owners, etc.) have agreed to help and support you in carrying out this research?

No / Yes (Please provide name and contact):

Self-assessment of risk:

Is this research exercise likely to expose you to any health and safety risks or any risk to property? (If the answer is yes, please specify the risks)

(NB these might include: exposure to theft by using a camera in a public place; journeying into an unknown area of town; entering into people’s homes; carrying out ethnographies in places in which excessive alcohol consumption or drug use takes place; etc.)

No / Yes:

Name: Chu Chi Wai

HKU SPACE Student Number: 10550989