Lost in Taichung - need assistance

So I got here 3 weeks ago and moved in with my friend that was promising me a good time and plenty of stuff to do. I’ve got a masters in teaching English but I am born in Swedish. I thought it wouldn’t matter but it did, so now I have to lie about my origin or transform my visit to a vacation. Whenever I got a chance for an interview they just asked me where I was from and I just get the standard “not born in america?” phrase and then it’s over.

Anyhow, my friend here got real busy at his new job so his tourguide-plans went away fast. His wife, that was going to help me around, got real sick and wont be helping me out or showing me around either.

I don’t have any friends or even acquintances in Taiwan so basically what I have been doing lately is sitting in my room watching movies and waiting for the time to pass by. I must admit that I’m not a good solo-tourist, looking at buildings and parks, eating new strange food, walking the streets is just not any fun or entertaining when I am on my own.

Now this sounds like a long rant of complaints but I guess I need some advice. Where should I go to meet people? Any good waterholes where typical lost foreigners turn up? Any friendly taiwanese/foreigners that likes to play tourguide?

I’m a real nice guy, very social and friendly. I like music, been a DJ for 10 years, cooking, nice views and adventures. I got a scooter of my own so I’m mobile and I can even read a map, hehe. This sounds like a damn personal ad but dont take it that way, I’m just a bit lost and need some guidance.

/Markus
msn - markusmunklinde@hotmail.com

this post will be come in 2 parts.

PART ONE

WTF do you think would happen?? You are Swedish, so you could get a job teaching Swedish; its a shame that that isnt in demand in Taiwan, but hey you should try. I know you will spin me loads of stuff about you learning English since you could tie your shoe laces and all that, but i dont buy it. Just reading your post shows me your English is not good enough gramatically to teach anyone English (not saying that even native English speakers dont post some sh@t at times, but hey… you know what i mean)…

PART TWO

The first part of my post seems harsh, but i do feel for you. You have come here under the assumption that you could work as an English teacher, and are now stuck here. I feel bad for you man; go to some popular pubs down there and go meet some people. You might only be here a short time but go out and meet some other foreigners in bars (probably the only place you can walk up to people and chat without them thinking you are weird!!).

By the way, i have heard of some Russians who have been English teachers in Taiwan and lied about their origin; however, its well dodgy and you would have to work illegally at some real shady school :loco:

[quote=“wayneowen”]Just reading your post shows me your English is not good enough gramatically to teach anyone English [/quote]You did not spell “grammatically” correctly. In fact, your post has two grammar mistakes and one spelling mistake. :unamused: Are you an English teacher? :raspberry:

My English is much worse and I got 3 jobs. I was born in America, I know it helps.

Keep looking Markus, you’ll find a school to hire you, no doubt. I’d take you on a tour but I’m in Kaohsiung. Again, find work, you’ll meet people and things will look up for you I’m sure. Don’t give up!

Good Luck,

bobepine

PS, Welcome to Forumosa.

[quote]By the way, I have heard of some Russians who have been English teachers in Taiwan and lied about their origin; however, its well dodgy and you would have to work illegally at some real shady school You’re loco…[/quote]False. Did you read Markus’s post? Or is your reading ability as poor as your writing? :wink:

bobepine

Edit:: Looks like I’m wrong. According to enigma’s post below, teachers from Sweden aren’t allowed to teach legally. :s

It’s been a while since I’ve lived in Taichung, and from popping in for visits I know that it’s changed quite a bit, but you could try checking out these places, assuming that they’re all still there (no addresses because it’s been a while, let me know if you’d like rough directions):

[color=blue]8 1/2.[/color] If you’re watching movies, you might as well watch good ones with some company.
[color=blue]Finga’s deli.[/color] Good food, few groceries, good people.
[color=blue]Tung-hai University and Art Street[/color]. More scenic and relaxed areas.
[color=blue]PJ’s pub[/color]. PJ’s the ultimate slacker/ bs-shoveling bartender. Makes a great Philly cheese-steak.
[color=blue]Zino cafe. [/color] Not the most social place. REALLY quiet and peaceful, really. While I was in Taichung, it was my sanctuary. Maybe not what you’re looking for at the moment, but so much better than Starbucks.
It’d also be a good idea to pick up a copy of “Compass”. Not the best read, by any stretch, but enough info to help you get your feet under you.

Hope this hopes, a bit.
The first few weeks can be quite an adjustment; don’t worry.

In a pinch, if you’re really desperate, you can waste A LOT of time posting on forumosa.com. :wink:

Welcome aboard.

Bored in Taichung? Have a look at Compass Magazine.

Taichung is the porn capital of Taiwan. Tell a local xiaojie that you are a famous Swedish director and ask to see her vulv…o :wink:

Most people who move here to teach have done at least a small amount of research on this site or others regaqrding what to expect and the requirements for teaching here. If you had spent more than 10 minutes looking at the requirements to teach legally, you would have discovered that you simply can not teach legally unless you were born in the “short list” of named countries. Sweden is not on the list regardless of how perfect your English may be. That being the case, enjoy the sights and look for a non-teaching job.

Oops! I did not know that. :blush:

bobepine

Thank yoiu all for the nice and not so nice comments. They all helped me out actually. I am well aware that my English isn’t perfect but my friend I’m living with has worked as a teacher for 3 years here and his English is definately not as good as mine. He has no formal training at all. Doesn’t matter anyway , I think I’ll turn this into a vacation. :slight_smile:

The names posted of bars/caf

WTH! I’ve noticed the contrary, everyone seems so shy and careful of saying the wrong things. Maybe it’s a cultural thing but I could never be straightforward and masculine here without feeling a bit brutal and malplaced.

I’m guessing it’s gonna take me a looong time before I find a girlfriend around here. Too complicated women :wink:

Sorry to hear of your situation Usel. I lived in Taichung in my first year in Taiwan, absolutely love the place. A map and a scoot is a good start. There are some great roads through the mountains, especially up and around Da Keng (? spelling, sorry). There’s also a good trip out to the former provincial capital. It’s a very weird little place, almst like a miniture ideal suburb. The traiin to Puli is also quite a buzz.

As for eateries, La Terrasse is good (see the Compass link for the address). Anyway, I’m sure you’ll attract better suggestions (and surely less flak over your grammar :unamused: ) from those currently in Taichung.

You’ve obviously not got out much. I suggest you dust off your dancing shoes and head to tthe Pigpen (see Compass). I suggest you take prophylactics, say a helmet and a condom. It’s that sort of place. If you’re lucky, you might meet the “Taichung blow job queen.” That’s really what she calls herself. You could ask around. :laughing:

Bestest.

HG

I always thought Taichung was pretty happening, but where the hell have YOU been hanging out?!

Personally, I get my kicks at the weekend by weeding the garden and playing tambourine with the neighbours’ kids, but whatever floats your boat.

I kinda knew my post would get hammered, and that is fair enough. Basically, what i was trying to say was that from his post that guy clearly doesn’t have grammar good enough to teach English properly. Maybe he has ironed all that out in his speech, but any element of writing in his teaching has the potential to be wrong, not hugely, but still wrong. So i am saying that this is why he shouldn’t be teaching English; i feel this is fair enough as you want the people he teaches to be taught correctly. He could maybe teach at a basic level, however; you find a lot of basic levels are taught mostly by local teachers anyway, who surely have worse English. And this guy out himself up there as a potential English teacher, so i think i am right to comment on his grammar. I wouldn’t normally snipe about this kind of thing, but i felt it was appropriate. And i just knew that someone would count up the errors in my post - what a bone head thing to do, and actually very predictable. I actually commented in my original post that westerners do in fact “write sh@t” on forums; i dont go over posts with a fine tooth comb, and of course (like anyone) i make mistakes. But what i do not do is accidentally write things like “i am born in swedish”. Theres a BIG difference.

So i made a good point, but i made it badly. I apologise for that, but i think my point is valid and shouldnt be fobbed off.

:smiley: hey, i made a big mistake… ha ha

I was supposed to say;

“And this guy puts himself up there…”

sorry, not talking about “outing” anything!! See what i mean, i should really preview my posts, but i cant seem to be bothered :astonished:

Doh! So you’re point is dashed upon the rocks! :laughing:

Not to digress from the chap’s hunt for Taichung fun, and I’m sure there is a thread on this somewhere, but I personally think learning from a non-native would be good. I like my language teachers to have at least learnt another language. I also find many Europeans with English as a second language have a much greater theoretical knowledge of the grammar and construction than native speakers. The Taiwanese preference for North American accents is also plain stoopid.

Hell, the OP writes well and has a MAster’s in English teaching. Personally I think that’s way better than a planeload of Canucky arts majors looking to pay off their student loans.

UseL. did you check if there was any work at the universities? Tung Hai, Prudence, Feng Chia, etc?

HG

Your

See how silly it is to pick out grammatical and spelling errors?

Anyway, Back In The Day the place was full of Europeans teaching English. Happy Family was run by a mad German hippy called “Paul”. To teach the sort of shite that is being taught here in Kindergartens you don’t even have to speak English, never mind be a native speaker.

I’m sure you’ll find a school honest enough to admit that all they want is a white face to present their crappy curriculum and impress the parents. You would have to sign up for some Chinese lessons, but that’s how it’s been done for the last 20 years and I don’t see any evidence that that’s going to change, or that the standard of English is improving here in general now that we have oh-so-many native speakers of bad English.

On the other hand, teaching here sucks, and you’d make more money as a binman in Sweden. So you could pass the time idly liaising with the lovely lassies of Taichung, drinking yourself poor, and learning some Taiwanese swear words. I guarantee you’ll still be in Taiwan in ten years’ time.

Hehe to be totally honest after my first week in Taiwan I didn’t feel like teaching any more. Basically I’ve gone from teaching to tourism.

The biggest problem I have is that I’m not any good at lonewolfing. Take for instance today, Saturday. My friend said we were gonna go up to one of his friends in the mountains and visit him and check out his new bike. Well I got up at 11 and had to wait to 5pm until he finally got off his ass. Then it was raining so we went back and then well it just ran out into the sand.
I spent my Saturday watching old Ultimate Fighting Championships and not doing shit. Basically 'cause I dont have the drive to go to a place on my own and just walk up to the first guy that looks white and start a conversation.

Damn I wish I was one of those backpackers with a big Stimorol smile and a guitarr on my back. Those guys seem to always get by and make heaps of friends.

Oh, btw, lets leave this whole English-debate you got going on. I know my English isn’t perfect and I dont want to claim it is. What I reacted on was that any poor schmuck that is born in USA can walk into a school here without any experience and teach kids but I’m not allowed. There’s also a difference as to what I write here on a forum and what I do in a classroom. I don’t feel offended or anything so no need to flame me or protect me.

So, where do I go if I’m bad at solo acts?

I could not agree more. :bravo: :bravo: :bravo:

I think the OP has got some pretty good responses so far. I’d like to help more but I’m not familiar with Taichung.

Have a good holiday useL! “Taiwan Touch Your Heart

bobepine

[quote=“useL”]Thank yoiu all for the nice and not so nice comments. They all helped me out actually. I am well aware that my English isn’t perfect but my friend I’m living with has worked as a teacher for 3 years here and his English is definately not as good as mine. He has no formal training at all. Doesn’t matter anyway , I think I’ll turn this into a vacation. :slight_smile:

The names posted of bars/caf