In a recent column I quoted an American returnee friend who expressed numerous complaints about how the Hong Kong he knew a decade earlier has changed for the worse. He was particularly perturbed by the shameful sight each morning of senior citizens collecting discarded cardboard boxes from the streets for a hand-to-mouth existence. The plight of these silver-haired scavengers is indeed a humiliating blot on our city's image.

That said, I have been reconsidering my friend's complaints, and while I respect his opinions, I would like to paint a less gloomy picture of Hong Kong in contrast to many of the world's big cities.

I believe we are confused by the current confrontational politics and are looking for a way through the present stew of divisive developments. I may not have the wisdom to provide the answers, but at least will try to present a less depressing picture of our city.

Firstly, protesting voices are being heard in many cities around the world, and frankly the situation here, although regrettable, is quite minor compared with what is happening regularly overseas - often accompanied by bloodshed.

In recent years the media has brought us graphic images from one country after another of demonstrations turning violent, riots breaking out and arsonists and looters thronging the streets, transforming city centers into smoking ruins. Let us pray that such incidents of utter madness by rampaging mobs never happen here. Such violence can often be traced to high unemployment. The disgruntled jobless start by wanting to air their grievances. Then an incident sparks a physical clash, tempers boil over and the situation spirals out of control.

Another significant plus for Hong Kong is that there is no crime wave that makes our streets unsafe at night. We don't have drug-pushers conducting their dirty business in darkened alleyways. Neither do we see here the violent clashes that rampant racism triggers between communities in other countries. Happily neither do fanatical sects stir religious fanaticism here.

Furthermore, Hong Kong is blessed with a conscientious workforce without strikers downing tools and disrupting essential services with questionable excuses.

Thankfully car thieves and pickpockets do not infest our city, and when night falls our streets are a blaze of light in vivid contrast to the dank and lonely streets in some cities. There women fear to tread after dark, and crime abounds on late-night trains. The darkness of night transforms those cities into a frightening urban jungle where angels fear to tread. I have more than one expat friend marveling at the tranquility which many of us take for granted.

A strange transformation takes place nightly in some countries when inner-city car parks become empty as the city workers depart for their suburban homes. Fleets of decrepit cars and vans occupy the empty spaces for the night as the occupants sleep inside their locked vehicles. By around 7 am they are all gone for the day.

Our incredibly efficient public transport system, spearheaded by the MTR and including bus, tram, ferry, railway, minibus and taxi services, whisks us safely to our workplaces and back each day with far greater ease than in many other metropolitan cities.

The SAR has arguably the best, most efficient international airport in Asia, with a network of airlines providing links to the most remote corners of the globe.

There are few political fringe groups making all sorts of strident demands.

Hong Kong is also spared the presence of the cranks, weirdos and nutters who frequent city streets elsewhere.

Let us now count some more of our blessings as it will make us more appreciative of our good fortune.

In a geographical sense our inhabitants occupy one of the most overcrowded sections of real estate anywhere in the world, yet we get along with one another relatively smoothly, and sensibly making allowances on either side as there is no alternative.

Because of the spread of our population across nearly every square meter of habitable land the territory produces only a tiny percentage of the food required daily, yet - thanks to a food chain comprising imports from neighboring places near and far, and rigorous public health protocols at our borders and ports - as high a standard of living as any cosmopolitan city in Asia is maintained. Furthermore, the spread of cuisine available from our smorgasbord of fine restaurants is truly mouth-watering.

Life in Hong Kong is safe and clean and - if only the killjoys and whiners would switch off their megaphones - pleasant. It is a modern and upmarket megalopolis that dashes along at a cracking pace, and a credit to the older inhabitants who helped create the "Hong Kong miracle".

When you think about it, life here ain't all that bad, notwithstanding what the limelight-hogging politicians, playing to the galleries, would want you to believe to the contrary!

The author is former journalist and civil servant.

(HK Edition 01/13/2015 page1)