Before you left the land of your birth/origin/where you grew up/etc and ventured off to the Beautiful Island, what criticisms, good or bad advice, concerns, berating, etc did you get from family, friends, loved ones, those close to you?
What did you say to justify your move? Or did you just ignore them all and tell them to “shove” off?
Has any of it come to any significance while in Taiwan?
Needless to say, some of my family thinks I’m in need of a padded cell for planning on returning for a third time. I choose to see it as fear of the unknown on their part.
nobody said anything! I’m South-African…I think that makes a big difference…in comparison to home, this place is a million times safer.
Why are you coming back? Why did you leave? (just curious)
I was supposed to stay for only a year, so the earful I started getting was AFTER I decided to stay.
Anyway, before I got here, I received a lot of support, especially from my Taiwanese coworkers: “You are going to a developed country, there are lots of opportunities, you will learn many things and meet people from all over the world”. All true.
[quote=“Icon”]I was supposed to stay for only a year, so the earful I started getting was AFTER I decided to stay.
Anyway, before I got here, I received a lot of support, especially from my Taiwanese coworkers: “You are going to a developed country, there are lots of opportunities, you will learn many things and meet people from all over the world”. All true.[/quote]
I can’t help but ask. Where exactly were you from to get a response like this:
“You are going to a developed country, there are lots of opportunities, you will learn many things and meet people from all over the world.”
Were you living in a undeveloped country?
In reference to the OPs question, I would imagine it would all matter on when you came to Taiwan (i.e. after graduation ~21 - 22 years of age versus an older age). If you’re lucky you’ll always be supported by your friends and loved ones. Of course it’s always a hoot when you’re told you’re off your rocker for wanting to work or live in “X” country.
I’d imagine that a number of young people who travel/work abroad say the same thing they want to see/experience the world before they settle down in the mundane 9-5 job waiting for them when they return.
Dear, many people do not know where Taiwan is but they already have a prejudice about it. Yes, there is bias by ignorance of anything Asian.
Furthermore, before we came here, we were told by others who had been here: there is no ice cream in Taiwan, no deodorant, no this and that. By “developed” my Taiwanese friends were implying “where do you think you’re going, to the jungle?”
EDIT:
Just to explain a bit further. Those students who had been here thought it would be a nice joke to scare the bejeesus out of us coming here. They thought it quite funny that some people had to pay up to 100 USD in charges for overweight luggage, bringing a lot of stuff that was readily available here.
We live in/ are from the USA. I first went to Taiwan in the early 1980s, then returned for a short stay with a wife and 2 year old a few years later fresh out of the military and with no degree. Back in the USA we quickly dug into our 40 hour week trying to catch up to the Joneses. Now with a teaching degree and several years of experience its a good time for us to return. Taiwan is pulling me back.
Several members of my extended family think it’s too big of a risk. They think it’s still the Taiwan of the 80s. One of my brothers is a diciple of the doctrine of “grow where you’re planted.” He’s never lived outside of our hometown and likely never will. So I’m getting, “How can you afford that?”, “What are you going to do there?”, “You’re doing what!?”, etc.
I kind of feel sorry for people who never travel and never venture outside of their comfort bubble.
My family were happy for me, no questions were asked.
My mates asked me why I was leaving sunny SA for a polluted little island. Ignorant fools kept on saying “you gonna find a girl ‘Made In Taiwan/China’?”.
Recently one asked me if I’d got my passport for China yet?
‘There’s a taxi number on the fridge. Stay away from Nana Plaza.’
Some of my family, the most distant ones, usually kind of give me the impression that they regard me as some kind of Col. Kurtz.
"You been over there too long, fool! Eatin awll tha’ rice done plumb gone t’yer noggin, boy!
as in FogHorn Leghorn.
It’s rather amusing, actually.
I watch the old cartoons with my kids, and we all bust a gut. None more so than I.
Payback is a mofo!
I went to Korea first, stayed there for about 17 months, then came over here. When I told my acquaintances what I was about to do (I didn’t really have any close friends by that time), they seemed a little puzzled by the whole thing, but they didn’t state any real objections.
One relative surprised me by saying in a hurt voice over the phone, “You didn’t give [our hometown] a chance!” I felt it was the other way around, and still do, but I was surprised that this person cared about what I did with myself. Another relative drove me to the airport early in the morning. For reasons other than just the phone conversation or driving me to the airport, I consider both of those relatives to be friends.
Since I’ve been in Taiwan, one brother has called pretty regularly to exchange news. Once in a great while he asks when I’m coming home. I’ve told him I don’t plan to come home soon (but I still think of this thing as kind of dicey–maybe I’ll wind up coming home whether I plan to or not).
Some people occasionally e-mail out of curiosity. You know, how’re you doing, etc.
That’s about it.
Too right, most of my relatives still think I live in Thailand. 
How’s this for an earful (the speech has changed over the years but the topics remain the same):
“How come you do not have the whole Easter week/Christmas/New Year off? You know, if you were here, you would have a month off vacation, like your sister/brother. You work too much. You really should get married soon. You know, I am the only one among my brothers who doesn’t have grandchildren. I can’t believe you are not saving money. Send me 10 million to buy you a house. You know So and So, he saved 10 thousand USD in a year in Taiwan, you have been there 10 years. You should buy a house, get married, have children…”
My only consolation is that my Taiwanese friends get the same speech, with little variation.
Yep, that was the kind of advice I got, too! “Try to get a job in Phuket.” and “Watch out for pickpockets in Bangkok” and “Check your bags CONSTANTLY or someone will put drugs in there and you’ll end up in prison just like in Brokedown Palace.” Oh, and my Dad gave me $2000 in American traveller’s cheques, because it was “better than having to change all that cash at the airport and who even knows if the airport has a currency exchange.” It took the bank in our small town three weeks to clear the stupid things; if there wasn’t going to be a currency exchange at the airport, how likely would it be that I could use them in a teeny tiny rural town? But who turns down two grand, right?
Yes, my ex though Thailand = Thai Food = Taiwan, FK NOW you ignorant bastard!!! :fume:
When I wanted to go back to Taiwan for a year (I was born in TW) my parent was totally shock and was worry about my career. I didn’t want to teach English but actually wanted to get a real job using my language skills in business field. Ended up working at a Golf Course freaking far away from the city and was at the dorm most of the time. Crazy but fun time!!!
Eventually I came back to the US, more $$, better working environment and it’s more of my style. I can’t work w/ traditional Taiwanese company, drives me nuts!!
But I think it is always good to live aborad or at another country for a few yrs to experience the different life style, I dunno If i can retired in Taiwan though, maybe Hawaii?!
In 1996 when China was lobbing missiles over our heads, my family told me, “There’s going to be a war, you have to get out of there!” I chose not to tell them that I was actually in the army at the time.
Too right, most of my relatives still think I live in Thailand. [/quote]
Actually, that was where I went to before Taiwan, it wasn’t confusion. No-one seemed that interested by country number three.