Surviving Taiwan

Taiwan is not a particularly daunting place to visit. It's crowded, and it can be confusing, but you'll be pleasantly surprised at how friendly and helpful everyone is. In general, Taiwanese people are not overly formal or easily offended. Furthermore, most people in Taiwan are very familiar with Western customs, so a visit to Taiwan does not necessitate a crash course in any long list of unfamiliar rules. What's more important is to remember to bring along a generous stockpile of smiles. People in Taiwan are quite hospitable (though many may be shy or nervous when meeting a foreigner), and a friendly disposition will make up for a host of faux pas. The Taiwanese are also especially appreciative of foreign guests who are curious about their culture. An avid interest in things Chinese, and the unique aspects of Taiwanese living, will win you a lot of friends. Manners and behaviours are a carrier of the culture of your country and gives an impression of your motherland in an alien place. Similarly you should also respect the ethics of the land you visit and be careful not to violate the norms and culture of that place.

 

1. If you want someone to come to you, do not wave them over with an upturned finger. This is impolite. Wave them over with your fingers turned down, as if they were sweeping something toward you. The same motion is used when hailing a cab.

2. Winking is considered offensive. Also, do not touch another person’s shoulders.

 

3. Do not touch anyone’s head. Especially the head of someone’s child.

4. Do not touch or point at anything with your feet.

5. Don’t use red ink when writing anything friendly. The colour is reserved for protests, denunciations and corrected exams.

6. Never walk through funerals, weddings or religious ceremonies which may suddenly occupy a whole street. Find your way around it.

7. Never gift an umbrella, handkerchiefs or a clock.

8. Never gift anyone white flowers. It is associated with mourning.

9. Never gift anything associated with number 4 or in sets of 4.

10. Do not visit a home without an invitation.

11. Never enter a Taiwanese home with your shoes on.

12. Do not discard food from your mouth back to your plate or bowl.

13. Don't be afraid to pick up your bowl and hold it under your chin when you eat; it's no breach of etiquette in Taiwanese society.

14. Never leave your chopsticks sticking up in the left-over rice at the bottom of your bowl after finishing a meal. This is what people do at shrines when offering a meal to their ancestors' ghosts. Doing it in a restaurant would be a terrible curse on the proprietor. 

15. Don’t use your chopsticks like drumsticks and tap out a beat on your water glass.

16. Never refuse when you are offered tea, and always participate when there is a toast.

17. Never get angry in public. The Taiwanese get very offended if you do.

18. Whistling at night and pointing out at cemeteries are considered as invitation to ghosts; hence it should be strongly avoided.

19. A tip should never be given in restaurants, hotels and any of the eating places.