Andre

It's 20something degree Celsius outside, a bit of wind, perfect to go to the beach with high waves and a sea temperature of 25C. The problem with this scenario: it's November and we're in Hong Kong.

For most people in Hong Kong, the mainland China national holiday on October 1 (also a public holiday in Hong Kong) marks the day they switch from summer to winter clothes; no matter the weather outside. It's a day off work and no duties like ancestor worship to do. One can't wait until Christmas (public holiday in Hong Kong) to switch clothes, or even worse, actually do it on a weekend or any given evening (watching local TV dramas is way more important - to the point that most restaurants feature flatscreens in every corner).

What makes me question the mental state of these people is:

• It's hot (25C-30C) and lifeguards are on duty at the beaches until October 31; why is October considered winter? For those who don't know it yet: Hong Kong is located in a subtropical climate.
• Why dressing in the full set of winter clothes? Is it necessary to run around with a scarf and hat?
• Often, it is much cooler indoors than outdoors. While buses, fast-food chains, offices... usually hoover around the 20C setting (although the government recommends a more healthy and energy-saving 25.5C environment), people nevertheless take off all their winter clothes once inside. Then they wonder why they are sick (sweating outdoors in the clothes and freezing indoors without the clothes).
• Many show a total lack of common sense: jogging around in oversized winter training clothes and shouting to friends "so hot, so hot".