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Fiso Wong
A hawker with a bachelor’s degree
Hawker Fiso Wong dreams of having his own record label. (Penelope Yau)
By Penelope Yau
Fiso Wong, 25, is a graduate of the Shenzhen University. Since he is the only university graduate in his family, his parents have high hopes for him.
But Mr. Wong disappointed them by taking the last job his parents wanted for him — selling audio CDs on the street.
Nonetheless, Mr. Wong does not care how others see him.
Said he: “There are people who don’t like the CDs I sell. They look down on me and think that I should get a better job in an office.
“But I said to myself: Although I’m a hawker, I’ll be more successful than they will be in 10 years.”
After his graduation in 2001, Mr. Wong worked as a garment purchaser and a credit card promoter. He also worked part-time in book shows and simultaneously held down a job in the insurance industry. However, he did not work long in any one of these jobs.
“Those jobs were too boring and monotonous,” he said, his tone flattening.
He described the experience of working at the garment firm as a nightmare.
“Whenever I was in the office, I had to struggle with time. I felt as if time stopped.
“At least what I do now is not boring. Most importantly, it’s about music. I love music,” he said.
Mr. Wong began his life as a hawker about a year ago when he was convinced that office work was not what he wanted.
Said he: “I thought of opening a record store of my own.
“But I didn’t want to ask my dad for money, so I decided to earn it by myself.”
Mr. Wong works about 10 hours a day and seven days a week.
He leaves home at 12 p.m. sharp every day, with some 400 CDs that weigh over 40 pounds.
“That’s the worst part of my work, having to carry all that weight. Luckily my sister helps me with it sometimes.
“We usually don’t do business from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.. We rest or have our lunch during this period,” he said.
The break, as they call it, is actually a time when the Hawker Control Grade Officers patrol the street to arrest illegal hawkers. Consequently, most hawkers stay in fast food shops or on back roads during this time.
“We have often escaped from them,” he continued, “but I have gotten arrested.
“Once they took away 200 of my CDs that fetched the highest prices.
It was a great loss. I’ll never forget that.”
Mr. Wong usually plies his wares in Mong Kok, but sometimes he goes to Central and Wanchai.
“I try to stay in one place so that regular customers know where to find me.
“I
always talk to my customers. I’m interested to know what kind
of music they like. Sometimes they even ring me up to inquire about
my stocks.”
Though not fully satisfied with his earnings, Mr. Wong said his income
is okay.
Unlike Mr. Wong, many of his university schoolmates went abroad to continue
their studies in the face of the slumping economy.
“Some of them didn’t really want to continue studying. They did it only because they couldn’t find jobs.”
He said many university graduates stay unemployed and do nothing rather than taking up a job they think is beneath them.
“I can’t stand that. I always have to keep myself busy.”
Asked about any unpleasant experiences as a hawker, Mr. Wong replied, “Arrest. Being arrested like a thief.
“Often we must pay heavier fines than hawkers who are too old to find a gainful employment.
“The judges dislike young hawkers like me. They think that we should get a decent job.”
Mr. Wong said he has learned a lot — communication skills for example — from being a hawker.
He still has his dreams. “Most of all, I’d like to have my own record label.
“But for now, I’m looking for a good shop location.
“With the money I’ve earned, I’ll open a record store in Tsim Sha Tsui.”