What is it with the average local personality here and not being able to swallow hard and admit to being wrong?
Why is it that some think that being older makes you right and also gives you the right to do and say whatever you think?
Is it, “that’s just the way I am”?
Saving face is one thing, but sometimes, honestly, it is just ridiculous. Isn’t it?
BTW, this is not a quality post. This is an observation and a gripe combined.
Not a quality post but a pretty fair comment. My experiences with older Taiwanese people do not include one instance where an older person admitted that he/she was wrong and that a younger person was right. Not once in twelve years.
Cheers
Then there is “bu hao yi si” which is supposed to make everything alright.
But, as a foreigner, give all of the above a try and see if it works for you. Probably will not
Admitting failure or mistakes here is seen as a weakness and can only work to your disadvantage, I’ve stopped doing it (of course I never make mistakes anyway …). Having said that, in my (especially corporate) experience, the same can be said of most western societies/people. The higher people get in management, the “righter” they are, always. Of course! I’ll wait until I’ve grown old and then I’ll join 'em. 不好意思. Xpet.
Orthopraxical Shame-based Culture™ produces even more group paralysis
than White-Bread Orthodoxical Guilt-Based Culture. Result: Double Dumbass On You, 24/7.
Euthanize 老人.
Combine age with a phd and you have a person who has the right answer in every possible topic, no questions asked.
[quote=“Bassman”]What is it with the average local personality here and not being able to swallow hard and admit to being wrong?
[/quote]
conversely, try admitting you’re wrong. “gracious” will not be a word you can use to describe the reaction.
[quote=“Tempo Gain”][quote=“Bassman”]What is it with the average local personality here and not being able to swallow hard and admit to being wrong?
[/quote]
conversely, try admitting you’re wrong. “gracious” will not be a word you can use to describe the reaction.[/quote]
That can be where the problems really begin. Then it would seem that everything you have done and ever will do is probably wrong too. 
[quote=“Bassman”][quote=“Tempo Gain”][quote=“Bassman”]What is it with the average local personality here and not being able to swallow hard and admit to being wrong?
[/quote]
conversely, try admitting you’re wrong. “gracious” will not be a word you can use to describe the reaction.[/quote]
That can be where the problems really begin. Then it would seem that everything you have done and ever will do is probably wrong too. [/quote]
Yes, I foolishly admitted I was wrong on one or two occasions when I first arrived in China, (because, back where I’m from, admitting a mistake and apologizing is considered a sign of character and a good thing to do.)
Ha ha! Big mistake, and I learned that fast. Admitting a mistake here just means you are weak and the other people will then blame all future problems on you, because you are obviously not up to defending yourself.
I ran across some advice prior to coming to Taiwan about how to get along here. One tip was to get used to saying (or even oversaying) “dui bu chi” when you goof up. The advice was along the lines of “When in Rome, …” Well, I took that advice and say it when I bump into people on the street, etc, etc. After a while, it struck me one day that I have never had a Taiwanese person say “dui bu chi” to me, despite many occasions when it was warranted (practically daily). And the corollary, when I say it, I never get a reaction other than to be ignored. I’ll have to say that, as time goes by, it is harder to be polite here than I anticipated.
Seeker4
Well, generally, older people have less energy than younger folk, and are probably tired of complications.
I’m old, and the older I get, the easier it seems to be to just think, “Well, hell, that person/those people is/are wrong and I’m right,” and be done with it. 
(Just kidding, sort of.)
The dad of one of my classmates back in the States is a stubborn old guy who just keeps to his own opinions and continues to march no matter what. My classmate says that his whole family thinks that his dad’s a little loony, but, he says, “His behavior makes us all nervous wrecks, but doesn’t seem to have any effect on him.” So, see, there are advantages to that sort of thing. 
WARNING: Don’t try this at home, your mileage may vary, etc.
Agree with all the above, but liberal over-use of “bu hao yi si” REALLY greases the wheels, and gets you what you want. I’m perfectly happy to say it if it makes 'em happy enough to let me have my way.
[quote=“seeker4”]I ran across some advice prior to coming to Taiwan about how to get along here. One tip was to get used to saying (or even oversaying) “dui bu chi” when you goof up. The advice was along the lines of “When in Rome, …” Well, I took that advice and say it when I bump into people on the street, etc, etc. After a while, it struck me one day that I have never had a Taiwanese person say “dui bu chi” to me, despite many occasions when it was warranted (practically daily). And the corollary, when I say it, I never get a reaction other than to be ignored. I’ll have to say that, as time goes by, it is harder to be polite here than I anticipated.[/quote]My experience differs. People say duibuqi to me from time to time, and when I say it to other people it seems to be appreciated.