[color=#0040FF]Hi everyone, hope you guys are enjoying Taiwan as much as I am.
Seeing that this is my first post on the forum since I joined, I thought I should make it count.[/color]
[color=#FF4080]Background:[/color]
[color=#0040FF]Iām a European in my mid-twenties that just moved to Taiwan (7 months ago), to live with my girlfriendās family while I learn Mandarin.
Iām from one of those cold countries in the north where you try to stay as far away from your own family that is physically possible (I moved out when I was 17). :eh:
I grew up on the countryside (my village had about 75 people in it).
Keep this in mind as I get started on how it is to live in an āaverageā Taiwanese family in Taipei County.[/color]
[color=#FF4080]First impression counts:[/color]
[color=#0040FF]My GF gave me two rules before I got here, āeat everything they put in front of youā and ālook happyā. These has been two of the best advice I have ever had, anyone can get accepted in any Taiwanese family by just following these 2. But there are still a few things to get used to besides these.[/color]
[color=#FF4080]Day to day matters:[/color]
[color=#0040FF]*While you are off to school or work your room will be cleaned and your laundry will be done for you, which is great just remember, do Not leave anything incriminating out in your room. You will have your own room, donāt even think about sharing one with your GF until after you get married in fact be happy if you even get to live in the same apartment. :s
*Food is served at regular times, make sure to make those times or you need to tell them in advance that you will miss one, my tip be hungry. :neutral:
*Grandma rules the house, (if she is the oldest one) she gets her way, always, not much point in trying to argue, youāll just get in trouble for trying. :no-no:
*If you are unlucky enough to have kids in the house (I got 4 under the age of 3 here) buy earplugs and watch where you step. (This is where the separate rooms come in handy, have a couple of kids screaming in the apartment, and you no longer want to produce any yourself).
*Never ever again sleep in the buff [nude], everyone has access to all places in the house, without knocking, also there might be an earthquake in the future where you have to run out of the room fast (I have to admit I have still do not understand why I have to run out of my room incase of an earthquake???). :no-no:
*Great activities to do during the day while you are staying away from the apartment, coffee shops, (you can spend hours there drinking coffee and watching people walk pastā¦), shopping, go to a bookstore find a book you like sit down on the floor and read the whole thing time will fly past, you donāt even need to buy it. (Just make sure that there are already people in the store doing thisā¦)
*Driving, donāt do it. (No more needs to be said on this topic.)
*Being a passenger, here is an interesting one; if you are in the back seat the driver will be offended if you put on the safety belt.[/color]
[color=#0040FF]That being said, living with her family is survivable if you have a favorite hideout (preferably one that serves beer) outside of the apartment.
If you have any tips for me feel free to post them here [/color]
Sounds like your girlfriend gave you good advice. It just seems she forgot to mention the 8-month rule.
You see, after you have lived with them for 8 months, you are entitled to sleep with your girlfriend. Just be sure to tell everyone your intentions during one of the meals.
Lappy: So, I have now been here eight months! (Chomp chomp chomp)
Wang family: (watching TV, chew, chew chew)
Lappy: So, You know what THAT means! (Chomp chomp chomp)
Wang family: (watching TV, chew, chew chew)
Lappy: Iāll be sleeping with Xiao-mei tonight! (Chomp Chomp Chomp)
Wang family: (still watching TV, chew chew chew)
Lappy: I hope we donāt make too much noise and wake the little ones! (Chomp Chomp Chomp)
Wang family: (still watching TV, chew chew chew)
Lappy: If anyone needs my earplugs tonight, just ask! (Chomp Chomp Chomp)
[color=#00BF40] :roflmao: Hmm, the respons sounds about right, do you know how to say it in Mandarin zander???
I forgot to mention the average family does not speak english. [/color]
Sounds like youāre having a good time time
Iām so glad that I found a GF that was willing to move out of her parentsā¦
In fact, she used me as an excuse of sortsā¦
Yeah, but she could be using her parents as an excuse for YOU now.
Next time she says sheās going home to spend some time with Ma and Ba, just pretend like youāre going to tag along . . . If she suddenly changes her mind, beware!
The lost swede, I am a bit envious of you right now, would be nice to move out, and once Iām married Iām sure I will get to move outā¦
Or at least I hope so.
At least the weather is good here.
Thank god for āMy Other Placeā where they never run out of beerā¦[/color]
[quote=āzenderā]Yeah, but she could be using her parents as an excuse for YOU now.
Next time she says sheās going home to spend some time with Ma and Ba, just pretend like youāre going to tag along . . . If she suddenly changes her mind, beware!
Ah!
Iām sure nothinās goinā on!
Try not to think about it.[/quote]
Funnyā¦
But the thing is, she would never use that excuse, as sheād know that Iād know that she was telling a porky. She isnāt exactly your average local lass and she aināt non to keen on hanging out with her folksā¦
Besides, sheās got a hard enough time keeping up with me, so having something on the side would just be too much hard work for the poor girlā¦
[quote=āLappyā][color=#0040FF]Hi everyone, hope you guys are enjoying Taiwan as much as I am.
Seeing that this is my first post on the forum since I joined, I thought I should make it count.[/color]
[color=#FF4080]Background:[/color]
[color=#0040FF]Iām a European in my mid-twenties that just moved to Taiwan (7 months ago), to live with my girlfriendās family while I learn Mandarin.
Iām from one of those cold countries in the north where you try to stay as far away from your own family that is physically possible (I moved out when I was 17). :eh:
I grew up on the countryside (my village had about 75 people in it).
Keep this in mind as I get started on how it is to live in an āaverageā Taiwanese family in Taipei County.[/color]
[color=#FF4080]First impression counts:[/color]
[color=#0040FF]My GF gave me two rules before I got here, āeat everything they put in front of youā and ālook happyā. These has been two of the best advice I have ever had, anyone can get accepted in any Taiwanese family by just following these 2. But there are still a few things to get used to besides these.[/color]
[color=#FF4080]Day to day matters:[/color]
[color=#0040FF]*While you are off to school or work your room will be cleaned and your laundry will be done for you, which is great just remember, do Not leave anything incriminating out in your room. You will have your own room, donāt even think about sharing one with your GF until after you get married in fact be happy if you even get to live in the same apartment. :s
*Food is served at regular times, make sure to make those times or you need to tell them in advance that you will miss one, my tip be hungry. :neutral:
*Grandma rules the house, (if she is the oldest one) she gets her way, always, not much point in trying to argue, youāll just get in trouble for trying. :no-no:
*If you are unlucky enough to have kids in the house (I got 4 under the age of 3 here) buy earplugs and watch where you step. (This is where the separate rooms come in handy, have a couple of kids screaming in the apartment, and you no longer want to produce any yourself).
*Never ever again sleep in the buff [nude], everyone has access to all places in the house, without knocking, also there might be an earthquake in the future where you have to run out of the room fast (I have to admit I have still do not understand why I have to run out of my room incase of an earthquake???). :no-no:
*Great activities to do during the day while you are staying away from the apartment, coffee shops, (you can spend hours there drinking coffee and watching people walk pastā¦), shopping, go to a bookstore find a book you like sit down on the floor and read the whole thing time will fly past, you donāt even need to buy it. (Just make sure that there are already people in the store doing thisā¦)
*Driving, donāt do it. (No more needs to be said on this topic.)
*Being a passenger, here is an interesting one; if you are in the back seat the driver will be offended if you put on the safety belt.[/color]
[color=#0040FF]That being said, living with her family is survivable if you have a favorite hideout (preferably one that serves beer) outside of the apartment.
If you have any tips for me feel free to post them here [/color][/quote]
Donāt forget to send us åč²¼ when its time; 'cause that what living with family, even in a separate room means.
Ask Grandma to explain why itās really annoying to read a whole post in coloured text.
Then get one of them little kids to show you how to make all your text black.
Oh yes, itās also a sign of filial respect if you leave the door open and carry on conversations with the family whilst pinching a loaf.
Thatāll get you into Grandmaās will lickety split.
I always do, life is meant to be lived, while you are second guessing your next step, you just missed the bus.
You sometimes get a black eye from running into things but in the long run it is definitely worth it.
[quote][color=#800000]Oh yes, itās also a sign of filial respect if you leave the door open and carry on conversations with the family whilst pinching a loaf.
Thatāll get you into Grandmaās will lickety split.[/color][/quote]
[/color]
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and once Iām married Iām sure I will get to move outā¦
