Instead of being negative, as I was in the “is Taiwan Racist?” thread, which I proposed closing since, of course, whenever people are involved - racism will exist.
One of the unique ways I feel the absence of racism or stereotypes is when I call CHT (中華電信). I always select the “English service” option (because the other options are too complicated), but have never received an English response. We solve the issue in Chinese, with them speaking naturally in Chinese and letting me describe the issue as well as I can (some terms I only know in Chinese due to their frequent use). However, if there is something I don’t understand, they are willing and able to use basic English. I appreciate being treated like a typical customer and almost always get the help I need. Kudos for giving the foreign customer the chance to use the local language.
Haha, not as positive as I had hoped for, but those “nod and smiles” are reassuring. Just like having a bloke randomly bum a smoke from you and smoking together in relaxation. P.S. I’ve quit smoking, except socially (which, if you have read my posts, you can guess is quite seldom).
@overnightoats666 I love this example. This is the kind of positivity I hope we can convey to the young 'uns who have not successfully integrated. People are racist (specifically, genetically engineered to prefer people similar to them in appearance, likely as a survival mechanism). Nevertheless, the more we find our commonalities, the less severe these trends towards homogeneity become. Thanks for your contributions.
For me being real local in Kaoshiung? Going to a local shop, café and get better treatment because I live (50% of the year) in the area because I visit often like other local. One we go to a lot, the lady owner of local Taiwanese food restaurant will have drinks with me out of special (not for sale) liquor, in return I always give her sake (from Japan) or Assuie/ NZ beers. I eat once a week at Lee Hotel Dim Sum, manager knows us always gives us a dish (free) we like for free and talk with us (another Managaer not so much though) about my travel and local life. I live in centre of the city but small street so most people know each other so for me this is nice as others treat me nice (better ) too as live here too.
Thanks for sharing! I hope the spirit of being part of the community catches on. You don’t have to live here decades to be a citizen. Yes, some will notice you are different and might stare, but most will accept you as a human being if you give them the chance (honestly, I always noticed white people’s pointy nose first, this my forum name, which means “little pointy nose” – or others can translate better).
on a trash bag related note, at the weekend i saw a guy on his scooter (in the river park) drive up to the bin, and place his bag of trash…on the floor next to the bin. what the hell is this? does it take a special effort to put it inside the bin? its not the first time i’ve seen it either.
Haha. Probably not. Truth be told. But I’ve been known to do such things, so it’s possible. I like to leave valuable recyclables outside of the trash can to make life easier for those who spend their days picking through trash. Who knows?
bumping this thread because the racism thread is a trash fire.
It always feels great when you come to build a rapport with the local restaurants and vendors. I go to the same fruit place every week and the lady who works there always gives me the best recommendations for the season, helps me pick out the prettiest and most delicious fruits, and sometimes rounds my purchases down to the nearest 100.
Thanks for the positive bump!! My local fruit vendor is also a sweetheart. She knows that I volunteer to teach in remote areas and, at least once a year, bring a load of different fruits to introduce in my simple lessons to these kids. She helps me fulfill the amount necessary for the number of kids and always gives me a good deal. Although I usually only buy fruit during those free occasions, agree always greets me when I’m passing by and asks how things are going.
Whether it’s your first year or you’ve stopped counting the years, this kind of pleasant interaction is what our lives should focus on, and less on the, albeit obvious, negatives.
Working hard jobs as self employed is almost instant respect here.
Knowing the language. Knowing Taiwanese is pretty much a red carpet to their daughters.
Taiwanese are relatively easy to get along with and be respected. We just need to learn and accept the definition and cultural differences of bwhat respect means is different than the west. I get along great with older generations. Just not the ones that are family…Such is Taiwan. Easy unless related haha.
