Even in the cities they gawk at us. And take photos/record us without asking. Even in Taipei. Or accost us when where walking down the street and discuss our appearance while staring at us. Ive even had workmen come up one by one and squeeze/touch me without asking.
But then again, ive seen Taiwanese people crowding around taking pics of toilet paper in a shop… apparently because it was piled high.
I wouldnt mind so much if I got to squeeze back. You guys want to squeeze my bicep, I get to grope your asses or something But that should happen in the privacy of a love hotel, not on the main street
I have never seen these type of things occur here. At most they’ll politely ask for a photo. You must stand out much more than most people. Are you a super huge body builder with lots of tattoos and crazy color dyed hair or something?
I’ve had laobans try to take photos and videos of myself and relatives without asking. That didn’t go down well I can tell you.
Last week this crazy American was accosted for selfies as I had ‘come such a long way’ to buy strawberries. But in the big city only the crazies and Mormons approach me. Last week some guy ran up to me and shouted MONEY at me as I alighted from the MRT.
I may not look as handsome as I used to but it seems I look like MONEY so I’ll run with that .
No tattoos and Im not a huge bodybuilder. I do work out a lot and am fit (hence the bicep squeezing). The times Ive drawn attention I was dressed smartly/fashionably but nothing very unusual. Come to think of it, Ive never been photographed when I was dressed very casually
I’m almost always ignored. It’s a bit of a downer. I can’t remember the last time anyone showed any interest in me. Perhaps when I was at the in-laws down south, but the interest was only fleeting.
Obviously it depends a lot on if you are eg Chinese, Philippino or German
Perhaps you could be a bit more specific instead of asking how Taiwanese feel about anyone else than Taiwanese ?
But, at least in my wife’s case most of the times she coments on foreigners it relates to some sympathy for all those foreigners taking care of the elderly(quite many in our neighbourhood)
My mixed friends have all been approached for photos many times over. But it never happens to me. They tell me it’s because I look like I’d just sneer and tell them to fuck off. And well…they aren’t wrong. Still feels a little bad, though…
I feel like in Taipei it’s ok. Some people do ask her questions and ask her where she’s from or want to practice their English even though she’s Italian lol. People are stupid like that here about learning English, her dad lectured for a law class at Uni here and when asked reasons why they took the class. Most people said they wanted to practice and learn English…
In Malaysia it was another story. One of the reasons we left. Men will creep on her there when she’s alone. Real rapey vibe from the India and Malaysian men acting like they’ve never seen a girl. Like just stare at her none stop and follow her. The Chinese did not behave this way though, just the Indians and Malays.