I need to stop comparing Taiwan and China

Discussion Open Forum
1

So, as you may or may not know I lived in Taiwan from 2003 to 2006. the headed back to SA, found I still wanted to be in Asia and went to Mainland China. I’ve been here since (about five years).

Pretty much since I set foot on Chinese soil I found myself comparing the two countries. I’m often guilty of comparing two items/entities/individuals/ideologies etc.

I compare/d the environment, the cities I lived in (Taichung VS Xiamen), the food, the facilities, the amenities, public transport, the job and visa situation, the salaries, the foreigners here and there etc etc. Perhaps more importantly I was comparing/compare the citizens of the two countries - their behaviour, manners, thinking and ideologies. I also compare my own thoughts and behaviour and general state of mental, emotional and physical health.

Nine times out of ten Taiwan came out favourably (Xiamen is a seaside city, my job at the uni is piss easy, China has wide sidewalks and Xiamen has a ban on scooters, in China’s favour).

I was just back in the Wan for a ten day trip and before I left I reminded myself to not spend the entire trip comparing. I did though, and it came down to the people - better educated, generally more polite, generally friendlier, generally oblivious to foreigners, quite a few well-travelled (my companion has been to a couple of dozen countries, Denmark next).

I’m back here in Xiamen now, wrapping up my contract at the uni - it runs till end-August, and then I think it’s time to pack my bags and leave China. There’s too many things that go against my belief system and value set (lack of human rights being top of the list).

In that time I need to STOP comparing the two countries, right? It’s a pointless exercise. That said, I don’t want to place Taiwan on a pedestal as I know it has flaws, just like any other country. But I do want to get into a healthier mindset, in preparation for returning to the Wan.

Your words of advice please. Ta!

2

[quote=“Baas Babelaas”]So, as you may or may not know I lived in Taiwan from 2003 to 2006. the headed back to SA, found I still wanted to be in Asia and went to Mainland China. I’ve been here since (about five years).

Pretty much since I set foot on Chinese soil I found myself comparing the two countries. I’m often guilty of comparing two items/entities/individuals/ideologies etc.

I compare/d the environment, the cities I lived in (Taichung VS Xiamen), the food, the facilities, the amenities, public transport, the job and visa situation, the salaries, the foreigners here and there etc etc. Perhaps more importantly I was comparing/compare the citizens of the two countries - their behaviour, manners, thinking and ideologies. I also compare my own thoughts and behaviour and general state of mental, emotional and physical health.

Nine times out of ten Taiwan came out favourably (Xiamen is a seaside city, my job at the uni is piss easy, China has wide sidewalks and Xiamen has a ban on scooters, in China’s favour).

I was just back in the Wan for a ten day trip and before I left I reminded myself to not spend the entire trip comparing. I did though, and it came down to the people - better educated, generally more polite, generally friendlier, generally oblivious to foreigners, quite a few well-travelled (my companion has been to a couple of dozen countries, Denmark next).

I’m back here in Xiamen now, wrapping up my contract at the uni - it runs till end-August, and then I think it’s time to pack my bags and leave China. There’s too many things that go against my belief system and value set (lack of human rights being top of the list).

In that time I need to STOP comparing the two countries, right? It’s a pointless exercise. That said, I don’t want to place Taiwan on a pedestal as I know it has flaws, just like any other country. But I do want to get into a healthier mindset, in preparation for returning to the Wan.

Your words of advice please. Ta![/quote]

Sure, but do they have sociopathic taxi drivers directing traffic?? Huh???

I think NOT, sir!!!

3

It’s hard not to compare. Taiwan is a far gentler, more polite society than most of the places I travel to in China.

Come on back to civilization.

4

I don’t see how this “comparing” has harmed you. You lived here, moved to China and found you prefered it here. If anything, his tendency to “compare” has acted as an action signal, motivating you to plan your return to the place you prefer.

5

No kidding.

Now, were you constantly comparing the two and finding a preference for China, well, then, you’d have some serious problems.

Like, for starters, you’d be a fuckin moron.

6

Ah, the ‘whistle blowers’ - was sharply reminded of them when I was back. And the 1000s and 1000s of scooters.

Pretty much every driver here is a sociopath though…

It was quite surreal leaving Xiamen and entering Taiwan via Jinmen - like a portal to a polite, friendly and positive mutation of the mainland.

7

Ah, the ‘whistle blowers’ - was sharply reminded of them when I was back. And the 1000s and 1000s of scooters.

Pretty much every driver here is a sociopath though…

It was quite surreal leaving Xiamen and entering Taiwan via Jinmen - like a portal to a polite, friendly and positive mutation of the mainland.[/quote]

Seriously, it amazes me how different they are.
Me and the girls went to SYS for the Max Whatsisname exhibit over the long weekend, and, of course, it was crawling with mainland swine.

Reminded me of when a real good buddy was in Berlin like a month after the Wall came down, they had given each Easterner a wad of Deutschmarks to get them started, and he said they were all over, wandering through the supermarkets and department stores like something out of Day of the Dead, and you could spot an Easterner vs Westerner from 500 yards off.

8

No kidding.

Now, were you constantly comparing the two and finding a preference for China, well, then, you’d have some serious problems.

Like, for starters, you’d be a fuckin moron.[/quote]
That’d be me. :bow:

9

No kidding.

Now, were you constantly comparing the two and finding a preference for China, well, then, you’d have some serious problems.

Like, for starters, you’d be a fuckin moron.[/quote]
That’d be me. :bow:[/quote]

Don’t be so hard on yourself.
You lived at home 'til you were, what, 30?
Of course you’re going to have some cognitive lapses.
It happens.

10

No kidding.

Now, were you constantly comparing the two and finding a preference for China, well, then, you’d have some serious problems.

Like, for starters, you’d be a fuckin moron.[/quote]
That’d be me. :bow:[/quote]

Don’t be so hard on yourself.
You lived at home 'til you were, what, 30?
Of course you’re going to have some cognitive lapses.
It happens.[/quote]
I’m still living at home. :stuck_out_tongue: All I need to get my cognition fixed, is a kilo of hashish inside of me, 300 litres of beer, 2 divorces. 30,000USD in debt, and what else?? :ponder:

11

No kidding.

Now, were you constantly comparing the two and finding a preference for China, well, then, you’d have some serious problems.

Like, for starters, you’d be a fuckin moron.[/quote]
That’d be me. :bow:[/quote]

Don’t be so hard on yourself.
You lived at home 'til you were, what, 30?
Of course you’re going to have some cognitive lapses.
It happens.[/quote]
I’m still living at home. :stuck_out_tongue: All I need to get my cognition fixed, is a kilo of hashish inside of me, 300 litres of beer, 2 divorces. 30,000USD in debt, and what else?? :ponder:[/quote]
That would help. for sure. Yeah, people would know you’re a lightweight, but one with your heart in the right place, and above all, TRYING!

12

No kidding.

Now, were you constantly comparing the two and finding a preference for China, well, then, you’d have some serious problems.

Like, for starters, you’d be a fuckin moron.[/quote]
That’d be me. :bow:[/quote]

Don’t be so hard on yourself.
You lived at home 'til you were, what, 30?
Of course you’re going to have some cognitive lapses.
It happens.[/quote]
I’m still living at home. :stuck_out_tongue: All I need to get my cognition fixed, is a kilo of hashish inside of me, 300 litres of beer, 2 divorces. 30,000USD in debt, and what else?? :ponder:[/quote]
That would help. for sure. Yeah, people would know you’re a lightweight, but one with your heart in the right place, and above all, TRYING![/quote]
You forgot, I would have to say China is full of pigs and filthy people.

13

No kidding.

Now, were you constantly comparing the two and finding a preference for China, well, then, you’d have some serious problems.

Like, for starters, you’d be a fuckin moron.[/quote]
That’d be me. :bow:[/quote]

Don’t be so hard on yourself.
You lived at home 'til you were, what, 30?
Of course you’re going to have some cognitive lapses.
It happens.[/quote]
I’m still living at home. :stuck_out_tongue: All I need to get my cognition fixed, is a kilo of hashish inside of me, 300 litres of beer, 2 divorces. 30,000USD in debt, and what else?? :ponder:[/quote]
That would help. for sure. Yeah, people would know you’re a lightweight, but one with your heart in the right place, and above all, TRYING![/quote]
You forgot, I would have to say China is full of pigs and filthy people.[/quote]
That doesn’t actually NEED to be said, in all honesty.

14

No kidding.

Now, were you constantly comparing the two and finding a preference for China, well, then, you’d have some serious problems.

Like, for starters, you’d be a fuckin moron.[/quote]
That’d be me. :bow:[/quote]

Don’t be so hard on yourself.
You lived at home 'til you were, what, 30?
Of course you’re going to have some cognitive lapses.
It happens.[/quote]
I’m still living at home. :stuck_out_tongue: All I need to get my cognition fixed, is a kilo of hashish inside of me, 300 litres of beer, 2 divorces. 30,000USD in debt, and what else?? :ponder:[/quote]

Fuck! You sound like the dream catch of a lifetime! lol!! :roflmao:

15

Just today I was comparing the Taiwanese and mainland Chinese students in my uni classes. The Taiwanese seem to have better English and more mature, more graceful or poised somehow. The boys definitely don’t look as peasant-like as their mainland cousins - better dress sense, better hygiene.

16

Hmm being peasant like, and not speaking English is truly :thumbsdown: . About Hygiene, well who knows???

17

Like I said, I’m not a big fan of comparing. But actually it’s the students who keep me here - they’re young and learning, and it’s interesting to hear their diverse opinions - really.

18

No kidding.

Now, were you constantly comparing the two and finding a preference for China, well, then, you’d have some serious problems.

Like, for starters, you’d be a fuckin moron.[/quote]
That’d be me. :bow:[/quote]

Don’t be so hard on yourself.
You lived at home 'til you were, what, 30?
Of course you’re going to have some cognitive lapses.
It happens.[/quote]
I’m still living at home. :stuck_out_tongue: All I need to get my cognition fixed, is a kilo of hashish inside of me, 300 litres of beer, 2 divorces. 30,000USD in debt, and what else?? :ponder:[/quote]

100 extra kilos
a tube top
big, frosted hair
a twang
a trailer with dead appliances out front
a lover who’s heavy into nascar

That about covers it, I think!

Oops! I guess that’s not China, per se, is it? Maybe in 20 years, if they’re lucky!