Your lawyer would know more about what is legal, but I haven’t seen mace in Taiwan and it seems like something that wouldn’t be sold here.
I have seen pressurized cans of Off brand mosquito spray. The small ones would not take up much space if you carry a sling bag or backpack, and would be helpful if the mozzies come out. In a worst case scenario where you can’t run and some crazy has a knife, that in the eyes could save your life.
It used to be a thing here. Mace is a loose term, pepperspray and Mace were interchangeable, can call it quality differentiation perhaps haha. Not that long ago you could buy tasers, Mace, batons, switch blades etc etc from the same type of shops, and even night markets. These might market vendors, and shops, still exist today. I seem to remember before there was a lot of discussion about banning, or more likely: cracking down on, things like tasers and various weapons because the scooter boys would go around fucking people up regularly enough. And Taiwan was in the midst of trying to get a better image internationally during Chen’s terms.
You can still buy various knives, batons etc from the same vendors and shops now (they have gone LED heavy in recent years, a sign of the times) but certain weapons have clearly started to dissappear off the shelf. Which is a red flag on legality, so should absolutely check the law before acquiring and potentially using. Easy to buy still, but do actually check the law. One lawyer told me a few years back pepperspray was only legal for females. A logical idea, but I find that hard to believe. Never fact checked it. Marco knows better, he will get the advice and double check the wording of the law before making his self defense a criminal offense.
Most important point is keep the items used for self defense legal. Knives are Grey, the types of knives are not. For example.
Edit. On mosquito spray. Get the minty organic ones. Those sucker’s burn!
I was thinking a compressed cannister sonit wouldn’t need a few pumps to get some pressure!
Those stores also tend to sell co2 cartriges and bb guns. Maybe can ask TL how to Jerry rig one.
There are good options around, just need to REALLY check legality. Self defense can go sideways here in ways that defy logic and common sense. Stay legal!
@Marco if you have already been attacked twice don’t you have grounds to sue, or is there a lack of evidence?
If the latter I would be thinking about crossing his path outside a family mart and stare him out when the abuse starts, get it on camera and then sue, remember like the pole dancer say’s, no touching. 
I am definitely pressing charges from last time.
But let’s just say that now that it’s no longer an isolated incident, I want to well…not end up dead.
That’s what I’ve done, twice.
But now I’m thinking of carrying. Because I’m scared at the thought of how far the unhingedness goes. A third time is not out of the question now and I gotta prep for it.
The legal stuff I have covered. The forum knows that one well.
Do be careful. You know the unhingedness can get very real very quick. Sue. But de escalate on the street. Shit gets real very quick, and Taiwans mental illness is ever more being released on the streets as the elders that housed the crazies are starting to die and the lack of proper care here becomes ever more obvious.
Truly, be real fucking careful…
As mentioned above, albeit not the immediate solution, martial arts lessons is always a net positive.
Although it may be tough, if there is ever the opportunity to buy the psycho a drink, fake apologize, shake hands and be done with it. It might be preferable. A hard ego blow, but surely better than dead. It’s a strategy to keep in mind when shit goes down.
Yeah I don’t see a permanent way out of this kind of thing, with the level of victim protection laws here, without doing this in some form or fashion.
Temporary injustice for yourself and then peace will certainly outweigh being violently attacked and justice (perhaps, hopefully) being served posthumously. One step backwards, a whole life ahead of you forward…
4th floor of that old Wannian building has military supply shops that sells all kinds of self defense type stuff.
Shoot this out of a paintball gun, hurts like hell.
But if you’re carrying a paintball gun around expect to get hassled by a cop if you aren’t doing paintballing.
I think I’m gonna avoid carrying a gun as a foreigner. Thank you.
The Taiwanese way to handle this would be if someone happened by chance to scare him for you.
But that’s not something I’m suggesting nor would I ever do.
Better to be judged by 3 than carried by 6… (Taiwan doesn’t have a jury and is done by a panel of 3 judges).
I really don’t want to be deported for gun crimes.
I’d rather just get my face kicked in at that point and take it to court than be on TVBS carrying a gun.
Not suggesting you do too, but I did find a bunch of maces on Shopee… just know their effectiveness is variable.
Martial art is good but if your attacker pulls out knifes, guns, or whatever other weapon then it gets deadly, FAST.
I don’t recommend knives because it’s not the easiest thing to use, and at that range the chance of it being taken from you and used on you is pretty high too. I mean do carry knives because you need to use it as a tool however.
That’s why the title is asking for mace. I’m very aware of the consequences. Trust me, I have a lawyer.
In all seriousness, this is fukjed up whoever it is.
I’d be carrying a knife or something.
Or, carry a bag of NT$20 coins
(Does anyone in Taipei have a $20 NT coin?)
Walk around with them in a sturdy, canvas bag.
If he/she attacks, wallop on the head and just say you were on way to bank for deposit, and bag was only defense.
Yes, carry something that has another use.
Short length of thick rubber hose is a practical option, I’ve heard.
I keep my tools in my bedroom. Just in case i ever fancy doing some diy at night.
