Your Voice: Bright side of ‘revenge travel’; stop judging people by appearance (short letters)

A new trend known as “revenge travel” has emerged since countries began to cautiously reopen their borders after three years of pandemic restrictions.

For some, revenge travel is seen as a positive trend, in which people are eager to visit places they couldn’t access during the pandemic. However, some locals may feel worried about the influx of tourists, as overcrowding and other problems may arise.

As a passionate traveller, I view revenge travel as incredibly positive. I long to experience the world, but over the past three years, I have only been able to imagine the sights and flavours of the places I have longed to visit. I am disappointed that I have not been able to experience these places in person, and I eagerly await the day when I can.

Hong Kong is renowned for its diverse culture which attracts visitors from all over the world; the influx of tourists helps make the city vibrant. However, I am also concerned that a sudden increase in visitors could make the city even more crowded. Shops and restaurants may not be equipped to handle large numbers of people within a short period of time, potentially leading to traffic congestion and other issues.

Cindy Tsang Tsz-shan, Leung Shek Chee College

For the past three years, wearing masks outdoors has been a necessary part of everyday life due to the pandemic. This has led to increased anxiety about physical appearance.

As a result, the next generation of children may grow up viewing the nose and mouth as private parts that should not be seen in public, leading to the development of appearance anxiety. Additionally, some people may see masks as a way to hide their imperfections, creating a situation where they feel uncomfortable removing their masks in public.

When the mask mandate is lifted, many people may still feel uneasy about walking in public without a mask, as masks have allowed them to escape the critical eyes of others.

The capitalism behind the beauty industry

Facial anxiety may still linger behind masks, as people’s judgmental and unkind gazes are a major cause of appearance anxiety. People are often criticised for having body types or facial features that are seen as not meeting societal standards. This can be hurtful and demeaning.

To go back to normal and feel comfortable in public without a mask, we need to end the behaviour of judging people for their physical appearance.

Choi Sheung-man, Pope Paul VI College

I am writing in response to the letter “Marriage and love aren’t for everyone” (Your Voice, February 18). I believe that love and marriage can be mutually exclusive.

Love is a complex emotion that marriage does not necessarily satisfy. For the older generation, many view marriage as a prerequisite for success, and choose to marry for reasons such as having a baby or to please their parents, regardless of their feelings for one another. This can have a negative effect on their children.

On the other hand, many teens today consider more factors before marriage, such as the economic impact on a child’s future. It is also possible to get married and get divorced.

Falling in love and expressing love is an incredible experience, and there are many ways to do so without marriage. Marriage is not the end of love.

Ng Chun-lun, Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College

Hong Kong’s chief executive, John Lee Ka-chiu, recently announced that the government would consider lifting the regulation requiring citizens to wear masks when the peak of the winter flu season has passed. This is welcome news to many Hongkongers who have been living under the mask mandate for the past three years.

However, as a citizen of Hong Kong, I am concerned that lifting the regulation could put us at risk of a massive outbreak of various infectious diseases, such as the seasonal influenza, hand, foot and mouth disease and – of course – the coronavirus. Masks have been a protective barrier against these diseases, and it is difficult to predict how quickly these diseases could spread if the mask mandate is no longer in place.

Additionally, the elderly and those with chronic conditions and autoimmune disorders could be particularly vulnerable to infection if masks are not worn.

Although the mask mandate could soon be lifted, citizens should consider the risks of taking off their masks on a daily basis. Whether it is for personal hygiene or simply for the way we look, masks are something we should not hurry to remove.