M1A :› 💜

Today, I experienced my first instance of disrespect since joining this community. Having attended numerous events of all sizes, this was the first time I encountered someone like this. A male stranger invited us to share a round of shots. He persistently pressured me and two female friends to drink, all while holding a different type of glass himself. I said, "You should drink the same as us," but he refused. Out of personal caution, I chose not to consume the alcohol he offered. He then sat down to chat with us, directing his attention solely to the women throughout the conversation. He first asked for my Telegram handle, then demanded to see my X account. I handed him my phone to view my profile, and he remarked, "You only have 8,000 followers, not even 10,000," before returning my device. I say"So?" He offered no further response and continued to urge us to drink. By the way, he didn’t even introduce himself or ask for my name—he just kept pushing me to drink. I was stunned; this was the first time I had met someone so rude. He eventually left to approach other women on the dance floor. Until now, everyone I’ve met at events—whether whales, project founders, or celebrities—has been humble and friendly. This stranger measured personal worth by follower counts, undermining the community values I cherish. In Hong Kong’s still-nascent Web3 ecosystem, every dedicated builder understands that true value lies not in follower numbers, but in how we cultivate trust through professionalism. When the clinking of glasses drowns out rational discourse, and when obsession with metrics erodes equal dialogue, it’s time to revisit our original intent: We gather here not for the virtual accolades of social media, but for the decentralized ideals we uphold. May every handshake in this city lay the foundation for a Web3 future.

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