To Simon Parry (whoever you are)
I can't believe that a single beat up by a single Pilot (Alvega - Macau based by the look of it) that turns a minor specific into a sweeping generalisation can reach page 3 of todays (20th January) SCMP. Is it a "bad news day?", maybe we need a war. There will always be Controllers - and pilots for that matter, that will be pretty thin on the ground when it comes to pleasantries, there always has been. Likewise there will always be those that will greet and farewell whenever they humanly can, because that is the nature of their politeness.
You quote: "A Senior Hong Kong based Airbus captain said that the decline in courteousness showed the experience level had "dropped markedly"". What a load of rubbish. Maybe it's the controllers having to work at a much higher level for longer periods that is to blame. What has experience got to do with courteousness? Are we all supposed to prostrate ourselves snivelling on the ground in deference to the opinion of said Senior Airbus captain? Sure newer controllers (all locals) may be a little shy to open up at times, but that is human nature. After all, this job can be a bit intimidating at times.