Regarding #1: I don’t know that people in any particular area are any more or less welcoming… racism is a very real fact of life in Taiwan, but is expressed more through social stigma than anything really virulent. My girlfriend is from a very small mountain village where they now have a black Canadian English teacher (provided through one of the government programs; the town itself could never support a foreign teacher’s salary expectations) and they seem happy to have her. So people in a rural area may be more welcoming out of gratitude, but unless you’re a very solitary, independent, easily amused person with lower-end salary expectations, I’d think twice about going that route.
Second point: yeah, it’s rare to see black persons in Taiwan. Like the others who posted, I bump into someone every couple of weeks… but honestly, each time, I silently salute them for sticking it out.
You may find parts of Japan (maybe Okinawa?), more welcoming. I’m not sure what the work situation is there, but there’s been a massive American military presence on the island for 60 years and as much as most of the islanders want the US out, they’ve grown more accepting of reasonably well behaved foreigners… particularly if you make an effort to learn Japanese and let them know that you’re a teacher. A black classmate of mine taught in Tokyo for 3 or 4 years and had a fantastic time… a few problems, but nothing serious.
The biggest difference that I’ve found between the Taiwan and Japan is that in Taiwan, you can be left alone to make yourself at home (if you can put up with the filth and stupidity), while in Japan it’s easier to be comfortable, but you’re an honoured guest… always and only a guest.
- Taichung: I spent a couple of years in Taichung and really enjoyed it. But now I’m loving Taipei so it would take something pretty special to get me to go back. I find that the ease of getting around is one of the great attractions of Taipei: public transit is clean and efficient, and there are sidewalks that you can actually use. You can’t really do either in Taichung; there, the public transit sucks and walking means dodging traffic, and as everything you’ll want to see and do is pretty spread out you’ll need a scooter. I’ve bounced off of enough cars at high speed to be perfectly happy not to spend much time on one again.
Taichung has some natural areas not far off, but little that’s really spectacular is close at hand. West, you can head up to Tung-hai, which used to be pretty enough but is being Very Rapidly developed. The university campus up there is still nice enough, though. North, there’s San-yi, but that’s somewhat further away. East, past Taiping, is great for mountain biking. Parks within the city aren’t terrible, and the statue park is nice.
Taichung will provide most of what you’ll want in terms of Western groceries and nightlife, and the weather is probably the best in Taiwan.
Last point, how open are Taiwanese men to dating black females? What exactly are the companionship options for a black woman in Taiwan?
I don’t know many foreign women (actually two) who have had any luck dating Taiwanese men. Most foreign women don’t find Taiwanese men attractive, and those who do usually don’t find receptive men. (A lot of Taiwanese men have been marrying women from mainland China or Vietnam, and it seems that just about every Taiwanese male finds Japanese women intensely attractive… no luck there for you.)
Most likely, your dating options are going to be minimal. I’ve often heard foreign women complain that 90% of foreign men are dating Taiwanese women, while 90% of the foreign women are single and totally frustrated. Not only that, but many of the foreign guys here may not be much of a catch. Being here can play with a guy’s head. You show up and suddenly there are gorgeous women lining up to enjoy your company, and some of the locals’ culturally conditioned dating expectations can be very appealing… so a lot of guys end up thinking that they’re the cock-of-walk, that they’re a real catch and don’t need to meet the other person halfway.
I think you’ll find that most people will agree on most points regarding your questions… hope you don’t get scared off. Taiwan can be great. It’s frustrating and filthy, but also gives you a freehand to do as you will.
You might also find this guy’s blog useful. I’ve read through much of it and he tends to be right on the money: users2.ev1.net/~turton/teach_index.html#liv
Come to think of it, I met this black woman from NYC who was studying in Taipei for a year before going to China to do UN work or something. I think within a week of arriving, she was in a relationship with some Brit.
I’ve warned a few students about that to get them to speak English.