I work in advertising during the day and stand-up comedy at night. The jobs are surprisingly similar.

By day, Garron Chiu works in advertising; by night, he performs stand-up comedy.

Provided by Garron Chiu

• Garron Chiu, now 37, was born in Los Angeles to Chinese parents and moved to Hong Kong as a kid.
• He studied at an international high school and went back to the US for college.
• Now back in Hong Kong, his work in advertising and stand-up overlap: both demand insight into people and culture.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Garron Chiu...