John Buckman
Met 2025-04-26 11:00 at JW Marriott Hong Kong, Hong Kong.His company Decent Espresso is based here and employs ~40 Hong Kongers. John is an old friend that has taught me more about Hong Kong than anyone else I know, since he moved here 7-8 years ago. Too many insights to list here. HK government spent a ton of money in the 80s before reverting to China, improving airport, infrastructure, and housing. Subsidized housing means HK citizens spend only 10% of income on housing. Everyone here is a refugee. Newcomers treated same as citizens. HK government is so well-run, so corruption-free. Very rules-based. Government officials visiting won't even accept a cup of coffee since that could be seen as a bribe. Mainland China's extravagant gifts are in the dining budget. Life here is intense, so they live here half the year. Locals don't socialize with mainlanders. Great insight into non-management of Hong Kongers: can't tell them what to do, so just share the goal and they figure out the means.