It sucks to be born in 79

Perhaps I was born a year too early. It turns out that by enrolling in HKU this year, I've been screwed out of two things: an extra $500 HKD a month and a student "Octopus card".

Many, if not most (if not all) postgraduate students receive a generous "studentship" of $12,500 HKD a month. To be honest, the prospect of receiving $2000 CAD a month was one of the biggest draws of enrolling at HKU, and why I didn't bother applying for any Canadian universities (I didn't feel like living in the US, and as for Singapore, I don't think I can survive the 12 months of summer. Besides, I hear the scholarships offered to international students is usually less than half as much). Anyway, I've just discovered that the postgraduate studentship was worth $13,000 HKD a month last year, and $14,000 HKD a month three years ago. At this rate, there's a chance I may receive only $11,000 in my final year. I shouldn't complain. Getting $75 CAD less per month isn't going to kill me, and besides, the $12,500 HKD I pocket is more than what the vast majority of Hong Kong people earns.

What is an "Octopus card"? The Octopus is an electronic stored value card that eliminates the need to fumble for change when riding public transportation, buying meals at McDonalds and other fast food joints, and even buying things at convenience stores like 7-11. These cards are cool because you don't have to put them through any slots or even take them out of your purse/wallet - all you have to do is put your purse/wallet against the Octopus reader, then "doot", you've paid! Singapore, Taipei, and even Shanghai use similar cards now, but Hong Kong had it first.

In short, Octopus is GREAT! Well.. what's not great about it is that because you don't have to deal with cash anymore, you don't really get a sense of what you're spending, and can end up pissing a lot of money and not even know it.

Riding the MTR (subway) isn't that cheap in Hong Kong (when compared to Asian cities outside of Japan and Korea), especially if you cross Victoria Harbour. Fortunately for students, there is a student Octopus card that entitles users to a 50% discount on MTR fares. Unfortunately for me, I don't qualify for the student Octopus. Why? According to MTR and Octopus Cards Ltd. policy, students born before 1980 do not qualify. Why? I have no bloody clue.

Hey law students, lawyers, and judge(s), can I sue? Isn't this unfair? Isn't this considered age discrimination? Or are these corporations allowed to bargain and set such conditions? In any case, I'm PISSED!