3 years now I am here, in the south.
For some reason it did not bother me the first year or two, but lately I find myself irritated a bit at everyone looking at me, in the street, at traffic lights when I drive my scooter, etc.
In my whole life I never was a fan of wearing sunglasses but am thinking to buy a pair.
I know deep inside, I am overreacting about this situation, but for some reason it irritates me lately, not sure why. Maybe it is just a phase. Sometimes I even make the effort to just look in front of me to avoid seeing other people.
When in good mood I donāt care, but you get the point.
I am sure I am not alone and will get used to it eventually.
Last time I quickly came across new neighbors and the first thing the neighbor said when she saw me was āaw ke aiā (which is something I will personally say if I see a dog or a 5 yo kid).
Now the bright side is my family in law is great, especially my father in law (who can speak a little English, and I can speak a little Chinese). My family in law sees me as a normal person and is really great in general towards me. I consider my dad in law just as a great friend , he is one of the best human being I have ever known and am very happy to visit him everytime I can.
Welcome to the club.
Still happens to me over two decades later.
The key is to really learn some chinese so you can understand what they are saying and then reply back to them in chinese and shock them, ha ha.
Iāve been here a few years and I experience three different situations at different times and situations and locations. Iām sure part is based on my own perceptions.
Sometimes people just look at me and stare.
Seems like they arenāt used to seeing foreigners and are maybe expecting me to do something unexpected.
Seems they may have experienced or heard about foreigners doing odd things.
Sometimes people just look at me and smile.
Expect or have had good experience with foreigners.
More common in South Taiwan
Sometimes people are afraid to look and quickly look away.
Not interested or scared of interacting with foreigner.
I actually stare back quite a few times. While some have a normal reaction and look somewhere else, I noticed some old people keep staring and somehow look offended that I dared to stare back.
Would be nice if some Taiwanese people on this forum could explain what happens deep inside them, when they see a foreigner? No hate, just genuinely trying to understand.
It goes in cycles . Also when you are younger, more handsome or prettier you may attract more stares. Still it can be annoying.
What I found is that the aggravation level can be related to feelings of isolation. It is not easy for foreigners in Taiwan being few in number. If you can be with a group of other foreigners you wonāt feel the stares are directed at you . If you could find some other foreigners to hang out a bit with sometimes it may lesson those feelings .
Also of course learning Chinese and making more local friends might be helpful. I did actually go through a sunglasses wearing phase.
We donāt get as many stares in Taipei than down South though as foreigners are really rare down there. I found I and my family attracted a lot more stares down there .
I actually wear a hat and probably avoid eye contract more now and walk at a fairly brisk pace, but again in Taipei people do their best to avoid interacting with each other anyway ! Itās usually the real weirdoes abd mentally ill who get in your face unfortunately.
The trick I like to use for the hardcore starers is to look behind me to see what it is theyāre staring at (because it couldnāt possibly be me). In most cases, it works like a charm.
I find myself more in situation 2 actually (and I am in the south), One time (a year ago) a staff of 7 11 asked me for a selfie, ludicrous I know but I politely accepted (a guy).
Another time, I was doing my work out outside (pull ups and stuff), a group of young female students came to me to take photos. I also accepted but only after I finished my work out, they actually waited until I finished (luckily it was my last set).
I also open my mouth, look stupid and stare back at the odd starer in Taipei . They usually get the message :).
But you canāt do it if there are too many instances . It will end up being aggravating .
Also for anybody questioning whether this is a thing in Taiwan it most certainly is.
My brother while visiting me even asked me āwhats with all the stares?ā Heās not a shrinking violet but he still felt uncomfortable.
Itās not India but it can be annoying. Itās really mostly curiosity and gormlessness. I donāt like when people and women stare at my kids too long thats really weird.
I always tell myself it is harmless yes, and there is always worse, back in 2010 I visited the Philippines with a friend and it was much worse there. I hardly saw a foreigner there in 10 days and 3 different cities but basically everyone was looking at us.
People everywhere are intrigued by anything ā differentā . Children innocently stare at foreigners with no animosity at all . Rarely experienced any hatred in the stares . Indeed if you say hello , the response is either embarrassment or a smile . You would maybe hold your gaze a little longer if a Taiwanese individual in bare feet with no helmet , chewing betelnuts, was seen in Los Angeles
Carry a book, buy a newspaper or whatever to take your focus away from seeing people look at you. Gormlessness (love this word Mr. Jones) is par for. If youāve ever turned on local TV or listened to regular convo youād know there isnāt much else going on for many people. Youāre a highlight, bask in it. Iād caution against taking selfies, though.
I consider Philippines stare different.
Philippines typically look eye to eye more in their culture and are engaged and expect to possibly engage with you either with eyes or verbally. And Philippines can communicate alot with eyes and eyebrows without ever opening mouth. Very common.
