Each culture is unique, with its own languages, customs, religious beliefs, and practices. As Filipinos, we grew up in a culture that is distinctive to our country and nationality. The same goes for the Taiwanese, and every other group of people, for that matter.
As foreigners, we should always be ready to learn and adapt to the culture of the place that we’re living in. After all, we don’t want to cause any offense or make cultural mistakes. In this article, we will talk about the Taiwanese culture and how we should or shouldn’t behave, especially when we are interacting with the people here.
Do’s and Don’ts of Living as a Foreigner in Taiwan
New to the country and just started learning about the local culture? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Read on to know the do’s and don’ts about living as a foreigner in Taiwan.
What to Do
First, let’s talk about the things that you can do to get along better and more effectively with the Taiwanese society:
DO… Greet people appropriately.
When greeting people, a simple “Hi,” “Hello,” or “Ni hao” will do, along with a small nod or a wave of your hand. This is the preferred way of greeting among the Taiwanese.
DO… Dress appropriately.
When it comes to dressing up, Taiwan is actually quite liberal and you can pretty much wear whatever you want. However, you do need to consider the weather, and there are a few places where you need to be more mindful of your attire.
Throughout the year, the weather here could either be very hot or very cold. It is also very humid, and so you might want to bring a light jacket and umbrella to be prepared for anything!
When visiting temples, be sure to dress modestly and avoid clothes that show too much skin (i.e. mini skirts, short shorts, spaghetti-strapped tops, etc.). In these places, dressing up modestly is expected as a sign of respect.
DO… Use both hands when presenting a gift or package.
When giving a gift, package, or document to someone, use both hands, as this is a sign of politeness and respect in Taiwanese culture. Likewise, use both of your hands to receive a gift or package, as well.
DO… Bring a gift when visiting someone’s home.
When you are visiting a Taiwanese person’s home, it is customary to bring a gift. It doesn’t have to be expensive… pastries, snacks, or fruits would be much welcome!
DO… Take off you shoes before entering someone’s home.
Before entering someone’s home, take off your shoes and leave them outside, or put them on the shoe rack (if there’s one available). Typically, your host will offer indoor slippers that you can wear while inside the house.
Not only is this practice hygienic, but also a sign of respect. And besides, we Filipinos also do this back home in the Philippines.
DO… Finish your food.
Whether you’re eating in someone’s home or in a restaurant, be sure to finish your food. Don’t take more than you can actually consume, since wasting food is frowned upon.
DO… Compliment the food.
Like us Pinoys, the Taiwanese love to eat, and they are proud of their specialties. So when eating out, be sure to compliment the food! The chef or business owner would be extremely happy to know that you enjoyed their dishes!
DO… Cover your mouth when using a toothpick in public.
Speaking of food don’t forget your table manners, especially when dining in public. This includes covering your mouth whenever you’re using a toothpick!
DO… Stay on the right side of the escalator.
Going to the shopping mall? Make it a point to stay on the right side of the escalator, especially if you’re not in a hurry. This leaves the left side open for those who want to walk up or down.
DO… Be patient in queues.
The Taiwanese people are orderly; they can wait patiently in line at the subway, grocery store, ATM, restaurant buffet, or anywhere where there’s a queue. If they can be patient, then so should you! And don’t even think about cutting in line, because that would be rude!
DO… Learn some basic Mandarin words and greetings.
Mandarin is the official language of Taiwan, although Hokkien, Hakka, and other languages are also used. Nonetheless, it is Mandarin that is used widely in school, at work, and other domains. Hence, you should try learning some Mandarin words and expressions. This can help you communicate better with the Taiwanese.
What NOT to Do
On the other hand, there are certain things that you should definitely avoid doing in Taiwan. Here are some “guidelines” to keep in mind:
DON’T… Greet people with hugs or kisses.
As mentioned earlier, a simple nod or hand wave is enough when greeting people, especially those that you’ve just met. Unlike Filipinos, the Taiwanese are not very “touchy,” so a hug or “beso-beso” (kiss) would make them feel really uncomfortable!
DON’T… Point at someone with one finger.
In Taiwanese culture, pointing at people with a single finger is considered rude. Instead you can use your whole (open) hand for pointing or for beckoning someone.
DON’T… Talk about “death” or the number “4.”
The number “4” and the word “death” have similar pronunciations in Mandarin. And so, number 4 is considered unlucky, which is why most buildings in Taiwan don’t have a fourth floor or a “room number 4.” You may recall that in Western culture, it is the number 13 that is considered unlucky.
DON’T… Give certain things as gifts.
Like many other cultures, the Taiwanese people have superstitions. These include avoiding giving certain things as gifts, for example:
- Umbrellas. Giving an umbrella to your boyfriend or girlfriend means that you want to break up with them!
- Scissors or Knives. Similarly, these items indicate cutting ties or breaking up with someone.
- Handkerchief. Giving someone a handkerchief means that they may soon have a reason to weep or cry!
- White Flowers. These are typically used at funerals and are often associated with death.
- Shoes for the Elderly. Giving shoes to an elderly person symbolizes them “walking” to heaven.
DON’T… Open a gift that you have just received.
In the Philippines, we are usually excited to open a gift that’s just been given to us. In other cultures like Taiwan, however, this may be perceived as being impatient or rude. When someone gives you a present, just thank them sincerely, and set aside your gift so that you can open it later.
DON’T… Talk loudly in public transportation.
The Taiwanese people value quietness and harmony in public places… and we should do the same! When riding the bus, Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), or High Speed Rail (HSR), keep your voice to a minimum so that you don’t disturb others. If you’re traveling with kids, make sure that they’re not noisy or rowdy, as well.
DON’T… Eat, drink, chew gum, or smoke in the MRT.
Speaking of public transportation, the MRT is one of the most commonly used means of transport in Taiwan. It’s fast, safe, and clean — thanks to the people’s compliance to certain rules: no eating, drinking, chewing gum, or smoking. If you’re a regular commuter on the MRT, be sure to follow these rules because the management takes them very seriously!
DON’T… Sit on the blue chair in the MRT.
Furthermore, when riding the MRT, don’t sit on the dark blue chair inside the train. This is reserved for the elderly, pregnant women, mothers with babies, persons with disabilities, etc. Unless you are part of this group, it would be best to avoid sitting on the blue chair!
DON’T… Give tips.
Unlike in western culture, tipping is not usually practiced in Taiwan. In fact giving a tip may even make someone feel that you regard them as “poor” and you would just seem rude! Besides most restaurants already include a 10% gratuity fee in the bill, so you really don’t have to give any tips.
DON’T… Leave chopsticks upright in a bowl with leftovers.
Leaving your chopsticks upright in a bowl of leftovers is considered offensive. This is because they resemble “incense sticks” that people place in bowls during visits to temples. The sticks symbolize offerings to the dead, so always be mindful of where you put your chopsticks after eating!
DON’T… Discuss political issues.
The political issue regarding Taiwan and China is a complex and sensitive one. It would be best for you not to bring this up in a conversation, unless you are asked for an opinion, or if another person wants to discuss the matter. That being said, always be aware of what you say, so as not to cause any offense.
DON’T… Write names in red ink.
This is another superstitious belief. In Taiwan, red ink is used to write on funeral banners the names of people who have passed away. For this reason, writing someone’s name in red ink is considered unlucky.
Just like any other country, Taiwan has a unique culture, with its own set of do’s and don’ts based on history, tradition, and common practices. If you will be staying here for quite a while, we recommend that you keep the above list in mind, so that you’ll be able to “blend in” in no time!
While this article presents the do’s and don’ts of everyday life in Taiwan, we have another one about how people should behave in the workplace. Check out this guide on Taiwanese work etiquette that every OFW should know!