150
"The public image [of the Society], first of all there's the name Royal. I was a true American," said Smith. “I was an advocate for dropping the Royal in recent years but most of the others didn't agree with me, so that's all right. And the other is that yes, we are, we do have a lot of western people because we're English-speaking and our programme, I'm talking for myself now...is to help people appreciate and understand Asia.'
Smith asks me what I think of the "Royal" and I tell him that it is a bit off-putting because it can be perceived that the RAS is a rather exclusive and maybe even stuffy organisation.
"This is personal, one thing I did not like about the RAS is they met, when I first joined, at the Hong Kong Club. At that time, there weren't too many Chinese members at the Hong Kong Club and I thought, I really don't like this, that we're meeting at a place that had a history, up until then, of being the centre for the western big people, and it wasn't a place that some Chinese would feel very comfortable going into."
Talks are now held once a month, on average, at City Hall and anyone can walk in and listen. The RAS also holds visits to local and overseas historical sites about once a month.
Smith had been vice-president from 1976 until 1997, but because he knew he would not want to take up the presidency in the future, but wanted to continue to be active on the Council, he took up his current title, honorary vice-president. Smith's first article for the journal appeared in Vol. 11, 1971.
"I would say my present contribution is as the oldest serving Council member, and the person that has been on the Council the longest time, that I would present some historical continuity...I can say we did that in such and such a year, and this and that.
Smith is a very entertaining interviewee. The American comes up with the funniest things. He is easy to talk to and very helpful, and wonderful at volunteering information.
"The British just think we Americans are rather crude, outspoken,
150
"The public image [of the Society], first of all there's the name Royal. I was a true American," said Smith. “I was an advocate for dropping the Royal in recent years but most of the others didn't agree with me, so that's all right. And the other is that yes, we are, we do have a lot of western people because we're English-speaking and our programme, I'm talking for myself now...is to help people appreciate and understand Asia,'
Smith asks me what I think of the "Royal" and I tell him that it is a bit off-putting because it can be perceived that the RAS is a rather exclusive and maybe even stuffy organisation.
"This is personal, one thing I did not like about the RAS is they met, when I first joined, at the Hong Kong Club. At that time, there weren't too many Chinese members at the Hong Kong Club and I thought, I really don't like this, that we're meeting at a place that had a history, up until then, of being the centre for the western big people, and it wasn't a place that some Chinese would feel very comfortable going into."
Talks are now held → once a month, on average
at City Hall and anyone can walk in and listen. The RAS also holds visits to local and overseas historical sites about once a month.
Smith had been vice-president from 1976 until 1997, but because he knew he would not want to take up the presidency in the future, but wanted to continue to be active on the Council, he took up his current title, honorary vice-president. Smith's first article for the journal appeared in Vol. 11, 1971.
"I would say my present contribution is as the oldest serving Council member, and the person that has been on the Council the longest time, that I would present some historical continuity...I can say we did that in such and such a year, and this and that.
well,
Smith is a very entertaining interviewee. The American comes up with the funniest things. He is easy to talk to and very helpful, and wonderful at volunteering information.
"The British just think we Americans are rather crude, outspoken,
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