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may be more or less unknown to the latter or they may be included in a larger category with no internal divisions. For example, a brief analysis of ethnic stereotypes in the Castle Peak Bay area in the New Territories (Anderson, 1967:98-99) mentions certain groups (particularly Cantonese boat people) which are not significant to the Teochiu that I studied in a housing estate. With regard, however, to very positively or negatively stigmatized categories, members of which are found throughout the Colony, considerable similarity in attributed characteristics is found. This is particularly true of stereotypes of Teochiu. For example, according to the Castle Peak stereotypes, Teochiu are dishonest, rascals, and involved in triads (Anderson, 1967:98). Almost all non-Teochiu that I have spoken to concerning their conceptions of Teochiu, regardless of their educational levels, have verbalized a mostly negative stereotype. The key elements of this stereotype seem to be the conservativeness of Teochiu; their clannishness or tendency to stick together, particularly in the face of adversity (this aspect is invariably given an implied negative connotation); their proclivity for involvement in crime and narcotics; their religious and non-religious superstitions, proven by their commitment to certain rituals, particularly the Hungry Ghost Festival; their violent, aggressive and pushy personality which leads to conflict with others in the market or factory. These elements are causally inter-linked in the minds of non-Teochiu. Teochiu, of course, are well aware of the stereotype and have counter-explanations or rationalizations for each element. The origin of the various elements can be explained in terms of recent patterns of interethnic interaction following the immigration of large numbers of Teochiu after 1949; that is, in the way that non-Teochiu reacted to this group which initially could not speak Cantonese, and in the manner that Teochiu in turn solidified ethnic boundaries and separated themselves. It is therefore important to consider Teochiu conceptions of themselves and other ethnic groups.
The data presented here is largely drawn from a questionnaire which was administered to Teochiu in a resettlement estate whose residents included former squatters and refugees from mainland China, Teochiu living in other localities, and non-Teochiu from various localities. Probability survey methods were found to be impractical in application and questionnaires were administered to people I met during the research. The questionnaire contains questions concerning ethnic stereotypes and rank ordering of ethnic
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DOUGLAS W. SPARKS
may be more or less unknown to the latter or they may be included in a larger category with no internal divisions. For, example a brief analysis of ethnic stereotypes in the Castle Peak Bay area in the New Territories (Anderson, 1967:98-99) mentions certain groups (particularly Cantonese boat people) which are not significant to the Teochiu that I studied in a housing estate. With regard, how- ever, to very positively or negatively stigmatized categories, members of which are found throughout the Colony, considerable similarity in attributed characteristics is found. This is particularly true of stereotypes of Teochiu. For example, according to the Castle Peak stereotypes, Teochiu are dishonest, rascals, and involved in triads (Anderson, 1967:98). Almost all non-Teochiu that I have spoken to concerning their conceptions of Teochiu, regardless of their educational levels, have verbalized a mostly negative stereotype. The key elements of this stereotype seem to be the conservativeness of Teochiu; their clannishness or tendency to stick together, par- ticularly in the face of adversity (this aspect is invariably given an implied negative connotation); their proclivity for involvement in crime and narcotics; their religious and non-religious superstitious- ness, proven by their commitment to certain rituals, particularly the Hungry Ghost Festival; their violent, aggressive and pushy personality which leads to conflict with others in the market or factory. These elements are causally inter-linked in the minds of non-Teochiu. Teochiu of course are well aware of the stereotype and have counter-explanations or rationalizations for each element. The origin of the various elements can be explained in terms of recent patterns of interethnic interaction following the immigration of large numbers of Teochiu after 1949; that is, in the way that non-Teochiu reacted to this group which initially could not speak Cantonese, and in the manner that Teochiu in turn solidified ethnic boundaries and separated themselves. It is therefore important to consider Teochiu conceptions of themselves and other ethnic groups.
The date presented here is largely drawn from a questionnaire which was administered to Teochiu in a resettlement estate whose residents included former squatters and refugees from mainland China, Teochiu living in other localities, and non-Teochiu from various localities. Probability survey methods were found to be impractical in application and questionnaires were administered to people I met during the research. The questionnaire contains questions concerning ethnic stereotypes and rank ordering of ethnic
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