hey everyone,
im coming to taiwan soon for about a year… my parents are from taiwan and they are really being unsupportive of me going to taiwan, claiming that it is extremely dangerous and that i’ll probably get mugged all the time and end up on drugs… they always cite taiwan papers as reason not to go to taiwan… i was just wondering 1) is it really that bad 2) what did people tell their parents to convince them (im 21)… thanks a lot for any advice.
Where in Taiwan will you be staying?
I’m in Taipei, and it’s not bad at all. You don’t get trouble unless you go looking for it.
It depends. If you visit a lot of bars and are otherwise out on the streets in various zones where drunken people and drug users congregate, then you may meet some undesirable types. Do you enjoy singing in KTV establishments until 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning? Then you may meet some undesirable people coming and going.
If you get home by 10:00 and mind your own business, you should be alright.
Jeez, you’re not going to get mugged. NOBODY gets mugged. Drugs is a matter of choice, so maybe your mother knows you better than you think. The only danger of physical violence lies in the remote possibility of you getting elected to the legislative assembly and getting involved in a brawl. Beyond that, citing Taiwan papers as a reason not to go to Taiwan? Come on - sure there are a lot of typos, and the headlines don’t always make sense, but that’s no reason to stay away. Just don’t work for them and you’ll be fine…
[quote=“fish132132”]hey everyone,
I’m coming to Taiwan soon for about a year… my parents are from taiwan and they are really being unsupportive of me going to Taiwan, claiming that it is extremely dangerous and that I’ll probably get mugged all the time and end up on drugs… they always cite taiwan papers as reason not to go to Taiwan… I was just wondering 1) is it really that bad 2) what did people tell their parents to convince them (I’m 21)… thanks a lot for any advice.[/quote]
Why do you need to tell them anything? You are an adult.
I agree with Flicka. You are a grown adult and you can make your own choices. Tell your mom you love her and that you are going no matter what her opinion is. When she sees that you are firm in your decision, then she will come around.
I had the same problem but for different reasons and my mom finally came around when she saw that I had my ticket booked and everything.
So, let her know you’re going and that’s that.
It’s all relative. Compared to most other countries, Taiwan is extremely safe.
It would be interesting to compare Taiwan’s crime stats with those of other countries. Might do some Googling on the subject later if I have time.
Tell her you will be safer in Taiwan than in Toronto and suggest to your mother that maybe she should move to Taiwan too as it is much safer for her too. Tell her she rasied a good kid and you are smart and careful.
I don’t think saying “i’m an adult and i’ll do want I want will work in this case”. You want your mom to be supportive and be happy for you. It’s a big move in your life and if your family don’t support you it can be hard. You say that your parents are from Taiwan, does that mean that one of the problems that your mom might have is that she left Taiwan to give her family a better chance at a new life and here you are moving back (even only for a short while). Tell her you want to get in touch with your roots see what it’s all about. You won’t be here forever. Also explain that the safest city in the world is still dangerous if you are mixing with the wrong crowd.
Is a very good thing to say. But at the end of day if you she won’t support you, then you’ve got to stand on your feet and make decision for yourself.
Mugged in Taiwan?
I’ve never heard of anyone getting mugged here.
Well, maybe Fred Frontier was. :s
Just don’t ride a scooter drunk, go hiking alone, or join any political/gangster events and you’ll be fine.
Tell mommy and daddy you’re a big boy or girl now and then do wherever you want. 
Fish’s parents are Taiwanese. He/she is not an adult until he/she is amrried and moved out of home (and even then it’s debatable) 
But I agree. Tell your Mum, she’s a silly old cow. As far as mugging etc goes, Taiwan is safer than pretty much any Western country, and kids do drugs far far less over here. Don’t mention the traffic to her though.
Brian[/quote]
fish132132, if you don’t mind me asking, does your family still have relatives living in Taiwan or have they all “fled” this abominable island of crime as your mom would have us think? If yes, why not use that connection, come here & stay with them for the first few weeks until you get a feel for the place, that’ll calm momy down!
Other than that, I agree with surfbunny, reason with them, don’t give them reasons …
We’ve been here 7 years, our kids were born here, the whole family feels very secure and at home, less problems here than back home from my experience, maybe with exception of the traffic …
[quote=“Alien”]Mugged in Taiwan?
I’ve never heard of anyone getting mugged here.
Well, maybe Fred Frontier was. :s
Just don’t ride a scooter drunk, go hiking alone, or join any political/gangster events and you’ll be fine.
Tell mommy and daddy you’re a big boy or girl now and then do wherever you want. [/quote]
But you should tell him to watch out for crazy left-leaning women chasing foreigners with “big gelly”
I’ve felt safer here than I ever did back home (US). I’ve walked around by myself at 3am coming home from a club and no one bothers me. I don’t know anyone here who has been mugged.
Come on over, fish, and don’t give it any second thought. If you’re a girl, we Forumosan guys will take good care of you (in the most avuncular way, of course). If you’re a guy, we’ll give you good advice on how to look after yourself. Neither you nor your parents need have any worries: there’s no danger here great enough to warrant your staying away, so get on that plane, taste the delights of living in Taiwan, and you’ll probably love it so much that you’ll want to stay for far more than a year.
Taiwan is a wonderful and safe land
I like Taiwan, no joke, but I think you should consider Paris. If I were still young, I would.
Taiwan is pretty safe, if you exercise prudence.
um who is prudence and why would you need to exercise her?
“Um, gee, Mom. I’d think about not going, but then I’d be out $1,000 for my non-refundable, non-transferrable plane ticket. Unless, of course, you could buy it from me to make it worth my while to stay. Thanks for helping me with my bags, Mom, but I’m not leaving until next month…Hey, wait, I still need a place to sleep…Damn.”
I was also 21 when I was getting ready to come here. I had to promise my mother that I wouldn’t leave until I had a job. Maybe you’ll get off with a lighter compromise.