Our next question: If you were put in charge of the school tuck shop, what new rule or menu item would you instantly introduce? To take part, drop us a line via this form by 12pm on Wednesday, March 25.
Kwan Wan-lok, 16, Lung Kong WFSL Lau Wong Fat Secondary School: “Stop making that face, or it’ll freeze that way.” As a kid, if you stuck your tongue out or crossed your eyes too long, your parents warned that it would become permanent.
Renee Hui Lok-ching, 13, Tak Nga Secondary School: When I was little, my parents insisted I never wear a hat indoors because it was rude. Now I see it made no sense: hats can be practical; they provide warmth and hygiene, and manners vary by context. The rule felt arbitrary and ignored comfort or real social norms.
Anson Lee Tze, 13, Hong Kong Tang King Po College: One childhood rule that baffled me was only being allowed to spend 10 per cent of the money from red packets. Each year, I could use just a tiny portion while my parents kept the rest. Looking back now, I feel I should have been trusted to spend my own money.
Pang Yue, 14, Pui Kiu College: My parents banned video games entirely, thinking they would be a digital distraction. While they meant well, I now see it as a missed opportunity. Many games develop problem-solving skills, especially strategic games like online chess. A blanket ban ignored their potential as a tool for balanced fun and learning.
Hon Tsz-yin, 17, Ho Yu College and Primary School (Sponsored By Sik Sik Yuen): The rule “don’t be friends with low achievers” was unreasonable. Grades don’t define character. Poor academic performance just means someone struggles in school; it doesn’t make them a bad person.
Victoria Liu, 13, St Paul’s Co-educational College: I could only watch TV after dinner. At first, it seemed fair, but I realised that watching TV before bed disrupts sleep. Even when I finished my homework early, I wasn’t allowed to watch TV. A better rule would have been: TV only after finishing homework, serving its original purpose.
Ng Ka-wing, 14, Immaculate Heart of Mary College: When I was young, my mother always urged me to cut my hair short, especially during the sweltering summer. In recent years, I’ve ignored her. Though summer is scorching, long hair can be tied up – unlike short hair, which merely grazes the neck with no way to pull it back.
Joyce Fu Miu-ching, 16, Leung Shek Chee College: My parents told me not to point at the moon, or it would cut my ears. Because of this rule, I was a bit afraid of the moon when I was small. But when I got older, I realised that my parents were just trying to scare me.
Hardy Zhuang, 15, TWGHs Li Ka Shing College: When I was a child, my parents told me that if I didn’t go to bed before nine o’clock, I would be caught by a monster. It sounds quite ridiculous, but I firmly believed it when I was a child. Because of this, I have retained the habit of going to bed early.
Enoch Thapa, 13, Methodist College: A childhood rule I now think makes no sense is never eating with your left hand. According to them, it was because the left hand was used for wiping after using the washroom. But actually, it is quite the opposite! Nobody uses their left hand!
