I have been living in Shanghai for a while now, and I’m starting to enjoy my time more in China.
However, the moment I see any opportunity or chance to go to Taiwan, I’d be more than happy to take. I don’t know what it is about the little island that has me so attached, but I can’t seem to let go. I feel that I can sometimes be a little bit rude to people from other nationalities when I overpriase Taiwan as if it were a perfect country (as if). I guess I just really mis the lifestyle and the people over there.
Anyone with similar feelings? I’m sure there are quite a few of us on this forum that would be happy to leave the island, maybe?
If you lived there for a time and understand the country it’s normal to identify with it when you are somewhere else (besides Taiwan does have a lot of good stuff to talk about…like the food, girls, mountains, freedom etc.). I do the same thing even though I moan about it aswell when I am here!
I believe that if you’ve lived (or spent a lot of time) in other Asian cities, China especially, you cannot help but develop a deep appreciation for what they’ve got cooking over here. It’s just better. In some ways, infinitely more civilized than say, Shanghai. Of course, y’all may disagree. All I know is, when I return from trips abroad, I sometimes feel like kissing the tarmac. At the moment, I spend 75% of my time in Taipei and 25% in Manila – which most certainly accounts for that ground-level appreciation.
There are things I like here, but if I had to write a list of ten or even twenty countries I’d rather live in (provided I could enjoy a similar standard of living and saving as here – that’s the catch, of course), Taiwan would not be on my list. I’m not even talking about having a bundle of money and being able to have my own villa in the south of France. Plenty of places in Central and Eastern Europe, Turkey, and maybe even some parts of Latin America would suit me better.
For me, it’s primarily because of the cost of living and how much money I can save. It’s certainly not for the architecture, music/arts scene, ability to get out into beautiful nature unmarred by man or not have to fight off a billion other tourists there, amount of living space, and so on.
I’ve only been to nine countries in Asia (not including Turkey or the Asian part of Russia), including Taiwan, but it would be my number one choice out of those, although Thailand might give it a run for its money. Asia just isn’t my bag though. Too hectic.
super_lucky: I agree. I couldn’t wait to get back here after five months travelling in Southeast Asia this year. I never thought I’d feel that way about either travel or Taiwan, but I despised most of Southeast Asia. It’s a giant festering shithole that makes Taiwan look like Switzerland.
I have the same feeling too after business trips, I’ve had a few around China…huge impersonal cities and then it can be very dry and dusty there too. It’s nice to get back to Taiwan which is very easy going and green and usually quite warm…and it’s home with family and friends! You go through the airport, there’s never any hassle at immigration, it’s quick and easy, you are not worried about stuff getting nicked, you know where you are going and you can relax.
China is just so huge…it’s hard to get a handle on things there.
[quote=“Rabidpie”]I have been living in Shanghai for a while now, and I’m starting to enjoy my time more in China.
However, the moment I see any opportunity or chance to go to Taiwan, I’d be more than happy to take. I don’t know what it is about the little island that has me so attached, but I can’t seem to let go. I feel that I can sometimes be a little bit rude to people from other nationalities when I overpriase Taiwan as if it were a perfect country (as if). I guess I just really mis the lifestyle and the people over there.
Anyone with similar feelings? I’m sure there are quite a few of us on this forum that would be happy to leave the island, maybe?[/quote]
Yeah, I’ll probably miss this place if I leave. All in all, living here has been a good thing for me so far.
Not especially. Like any place, there are things I like and things I don’t, but I can’t say I’m particularly attached to Taiwan. My partner and I would probably move back to the US in a heartbeat if the immigration thing (citizens sponsoring same-sex partners for residence) ever changes.
I am very attached to Taiwan and everything about it. The only thing I don’t like is the traffic, and even that I can live with as it’s much better in most ways from where I come from. If I wasn’t attached to the place, the people, the language, it’s history, the food and everything that makes it what it is, I’d leave. Regardless of partners or savings or anything else. I hated South Africa and just about everything about it (except the Springboks and the people I knew there), so I left. Screw job stability, pension fund etc etc. So, I can’t imagine living somewhere I don’t love to be.
I can’t imagine going back to South Africa, nor living anywhere else. Vacations are nice, but in the end I’m always glad to come home.
Mostly, I’ve lived in the US. But I spent six years in three European countries and traveled extensively through all of Western Europe.
I’m very attached to Taiwan and for me it’s the best place I’ve ever lived. I love it when I’m here and I miss it when I’m away. Of course I’ve only lived here a year and a half.
Taiwan is the friendliest place I’ve ever lived and it’s the people that make me love it here so much.
Fortunately, having married a local, I can stay as long as I live/like.
[quote=“Rabidpie”]I have been living in Shanghai for a while now, and I’m starting to enjoy my time more in China.
However, the moment I see any opportunity or chance to go to Taiwan, I’d be more than happy to take. I don’t know what it is about the little island that has me so attached, but I can’t seem to let go. I feel that I can sometimes be a little bit rude to people from other nationalities when I overpriase Taiwan as if it were a perfect country (as if). I guess I just really mis the lifestyle and the people over there.
Anyone with similar feelings? I’m sure there are quite a few of us on this forum that would be happy to leave the island, maybe?[/quote]
Well, Taiwan is my fourth country of residence and it is my fourth favorite one. Most people that I have asked before praise the food, the friendliness of people, the nature. For me none of that is really outstanding and I have experienced it on the same or a higher level (personal opinion of course) in my previous residences.
The reason for putting Taiwan on the bottom of my list is simly the working style. I work in a Taiwanese company and that is one frustrating experience. I am used to efficient, goal-oriented corporate cultures and Taiwan is the exact opposite for me. I have to spend some 75% of my time with administration, complicated processes, manuals in Chinese language, hiding or working around errors - there is almost no time left for the job I should be doing according to my job description.
So, no, I am not attached to Taiwan. I find it OK here, but not more.
[quote=“bismarck”]I am very attached to Taiwan and everything about it. The only thing I don’t like is the traffic, and even that I can live with as it’s much better in most ways from where I come from. If I wasn’t attached to the place, the people, the language, it’s history, the food and everything that makes it what it is, I’d leave. Regardless of partners or savings or anything else. I hated South Africa and just about everything about it (except the Springboks and the people I knew there), so I left. Screw job stability, pension fund etc etc. So, I can’t imagine living somewhere I don’t love to be.
I can’t imagine going back to South Africa, nor living anywhere else. Vacations are nice, but in the end I’m always glad to come home.[/quote]
Same as above.
And for me, not even vacations are nice. Every time I step off that airport I feel like playing Russian roulette. Can’t push my luck every time.
I’m not really invested in Taiwan like you guys, but I’m back in Australia for the holidays and there’s a definite ‘meh’ feeling. Didn’t want to leave and can’t wait to go back.
Incomprehensible language/writing. Soulless people. No family or friends. No kids. No money. No prospects.Pollution. Noise. More noise. Even more effing noise! Too many people. Immature younger generation. Crass older generation. I won’t even mention the animals on the road.
Incomprehensible language/writing. Soulless people. No family or friends. No kids. No money. No prospects.Pollution. Noise. More noise. Even more effing noise! Too many people. Immature younger generation. Crass older generation. I won’t even mention the animals on the road.[/quote]
So you just stay for the meringue?
