Probably. But also probably due to the cultural background you have. Honestly, I never realised Americans (and generally North Americans) had so many social taboos.
The only thing I (initially) had a cultural problem with was personal space and touching. White South Africans (like me) usually have a larger personal space than our darker hued countrymen, but we’re still used to being in close contact (having your personal space invaded so to speak) with strangers because being a minority we have to make cultural concessions on a daily basis - it’s a daily part of life and one doesn’t ever really give it a moments thought.
Apart from that, all South Africans are pretty touchy feely. Even casual acquintances over a period of time may give a hug upon greeting (not people you work with and so on, but acquaintances and friends within your social circle - although when I retired my commission in the Navy to move to Taiwan almost everyone at work, guys and women, gave me a hug), and within the family circle, including aunties ten times removed will still hug and kiss you when they see you.
When people talk to each other there is also generally body contact. Things like a touch on the forearm, or amongst guys a slap on the shoulder. If someone knows you well enough to give you a goft, that person certainly knows you well enough to get a hug.
These were the only things I had a problem with here and I just adjusted my behaviour accordingly. As they say, when in Rome…
Although, honestly, my SO is well accustomed to being held and touched all the time. Even in public. And yes, her mum gets a hug whenever I see her. But that’s a case of “we’re serious and I have to make concessions so so do you”, and I don’t find that they mind that but actually welcome it.
Other things like eating habits, table manners, spitting, toilet habits et al and the forumosa favourite - personal questions. These are things that I’ve not had to adapt to at all. I’ve seen the same back in SA. I think that anyone who has been in the SA armed forces since 1994 or been through the school or university system since 1990 can attest to that.
And basic things, things like eating the marrow out of a leg of lambs leftover thigh bone and chickens neck. Not even to mention offal (yes, sheeps head and stomach). Man these things are delicacies. At sunday family lunches we used to fight over who gets the marrow in the bone, and the chickens neck had to be reserved beforehand.
Personal questions? Things like gaining or losing weight. How much you paid for your house, car, lekker (nice, super cool) new motorcycle, PC or whatever. These are just normal questions in a conversation, right?
I mean, if you paid NT$25 000 for your new computer and I paid NT$30 000 I know I got screwed. How else would one know that without asking?
Falling on the ground and skinning your knees and having random strangers rush to your aid saying, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Are you ok?” is just being nice and helpful, right? If you’re not looking well and folks ask you if you’re ok or if you’ve seen a doctor is just common decency, isn’t it? At worst, concern and friendliness…
For me it’s been more of, “cultural shock? What cultural shock? Dude! Did you see they have a stand at the corner selling nothing but chicken necks?”
Hydedoll, you seem like a really sweet person. Open yourself up and embrace it. For the most part people here are awesome and caring.
As in Rome, right? So when someone asks you, “How much do you weigh?”. Don’t bat an eyelid. Look them in the eye and say, “I weigh ___kg. And you?” with a big smile on your face.