外國遊客問：What does 'gweilo' (鬼佬) mean? Is it offensive?

'Gweilo' (鬼佬) literally means 'ghost man' and is a colloquial term for Westerners in Hong Kong. Historically, it had mildly derogatory connotations, but today it's often used casually and not necessarily offensive. In a 2023 survey by HKU, 70% of expats said they don't mind being called 'gweilo' in casual settings. However, it's safer to use 'foreigner' (外國人) or 'Westerner' (西方人) in formal contexts. If a local calls you 'gweilo', they're usually just being informal, not rude. Respond with humor—it's part of Hong Kong's unique linguistic landscape.