Once I had a group a three young boys, elementary school age, hanging over the railing of a fast food restaurant, mouth wide open, staring at my family and Oh how I wanted to walk over to them and move their hands. One to cover his ears, the other to cover his mouth and the last one to cover his eyes.
I lived near a hillbilly community in the states. These hillbillies were called Pineys. When I think of the locals who stare, chew the nuts and spit, I think of the locals back home who also stare, chew tobbacy and also spit. And, I’m not so angry any more. I now just say Hello.
If I could eat the local food or drink their sauce, I’d probably get invited into their homes for a good time…
Got that stupid fish allergy to deal with, that’s a whole other story…
[quote=“Taiwan_Student”]Will it ever stop! That is the question.
Once I had a group a three young boys, elementary school age, hanging over the railing of a fast food restaurant, mouth wide open, staring at my family and Oh how I wanted to walk over to them and move their hands. One to cover his ears, the other to cover his mouth and the last one to cover his eyes.
I lived near a hillbilly community in the states. These hillbillies were called Pineys. When I think of the locals who stare, chew the nuts and spit, I think of the locals back home who also stare, chew tobbacy and also spit. And, I’m not so angry any more. I now just say Hello.
If I could eat the local food or drink their sauce, I’d probably get invited into their homes for a good time…
Got that stupid fish allergy to deal with, that’s a whole other story…[/quote]
Yep, I’ve been here for 5 years and still haven’t gotten comfortable with all the staring. I am tall, blond hair, blue eyes, and everything, which makes it even worse. I can usually ignore it, but some days I’m just not in the mood for it. What I really hate is when there is a group and one person sees you, then obviously tells everybody in the group and they all blatantly look over at you. If they were just more inconspicuous about it I wouldn’t mind as much. Anyways, I’m sure there have been plenty of threads talking about this, that’s all I wanted to say.
People in Japan seem to be more into staring than Taiwan, but does this “staring” mean that when you look back at them, they turn their eyes away, or does it mean that they continue to stare at you?
I got glared at long and hard the other day. I thought it was just another Taiwanese person who wasn’t used to foreigners. It turned out the group of people I was standing in was a queue I had just jumped. It was like being back in the UK.
I’ve got used to that already. One girl even came to me and took my picture because she likes my nose. Then she showed me her collection of pictures stored in her cellphone with handsome guys and their noses. She stares at foreign guys in Taiwan just to admire their noses. ’
How can I be mad about that?
I’m pretty sure some serial killers started out just like that.
I think there are 2 kind of “stares”. In Taichung it was more similar to a random look in my direction, maybe a few second but nothing serious.
In Yilan it’s often like this →
I wouldn’t say it really bothers, I just find it weird that it can be a common reaction for people who see a foreigner.
I only get bothered when I start hearing in Chinese:“Look, an American!”, because then I have to walk there and explain in Chinese:“No, I’m not American. No, I’m not a Teacher. Yes, I can speak Chinese. No, I’m not rich.”
[quote=“robert the bruce”]I’ve got used to that already. One girl even came to me and took my picture because she likes my nose. Then she showed me her collection of pictures stored in her cellphone with handsome guys and their noses. She stares at foreign guys in Taiwan just to admire their noses. ’
How can I be mad about that?[/quote]
Mmm, I need an excuse like that.
Problem is that I am a foreigner, too. Suggestions?
[quote=“Icon”][quote=“robert the bruce”]I’ve got used to that already. One girl even came to me and took my picture because she likes my nose. Then she showed me her collection of pictures stored in her cellphone with handsome guys and their noses. She stares at foreign guys in Taiwan just to admire their noses. ’
How can I be mad about that?[/quote]
Mmm, I need an excuse like that.
Problem is that I am a foreigner, too. Suggestions?[/quote]
Well since you are a woman just do what women usually do, put on a push-up bra or stuff some socks there, most men do a lot of staring also, not on the women’s noses, but down there at the chest.
Last month, my old friend from Taiwan visited me. I took my family with him and his daughter to a near-by lake campground. While we were walking, a family of 6-7 campers, started to yell at us:
“Konigiwa”
“Ni hao”
“Are you from China?”
My daughter, an ABC, didn’t even look at them, but called back:
“Taiwan”
I bet they could not tell the difference between Taiwan and Thailand.
Last month, my old friend from Taiwan visited me. I took my family with him and his daughter to a near-by lake campground. While we were walking, a family of 6-7 campers, started to yell at us:
“Konigiwa”
“Ni hao”
“Are you from China?”
My daughter, an ABC, didn’t even look at them, but called back:
“Taiwan”
I bet they could not tell the difference between Taiwan and Thailand.[/quote]
They can’t. I know that from personal experience.
I went to Camp Round Meadow in 2008, in the San Bernardino Mountains.
One kid from my cabin, upon listening to my introduction, asked me:
“Do they have movie theaters in Thailand?” to which I replied:
“Actually, I’m not from Thailand. I’m from…”
“Oh yeah! Taikwan!”
"…we do have movie theaters. Lots of 'em. :neutral: "
I’m new here but reading Forumosa I’ve already laughed my head off.
I need your help, though. When I went to TW last fall a lot of people kept staring at me and my mum (mostly me though). Mum is youngish looking, fit and small (154 cm), I take after my dad, 170 cm, slim and no make-up on. We are blonds, blue or green eyed.
Q1: Did they think we were lesbians by any chance? -we were walking arm-in-arm as we always do in my family.
Q2: Something else?
Thank you in advance for helping the clueless LYT.[/quote]
Most likely you are lesbians.
[quote=“johnlockian”][quote=“fh2000”]People are curious, even in US.
Last month, my old friend from Taiwan visited me. I took my family with him and his daughter to a near-by lake campground. While we were walking, a family of 6-7 campers, started to yell at us:
“Konigiwa”
“Ni hao”
“Are you from China?”
My daughter, an ABC, didn’t even look at them, but called back:
“Taiwan”
I bet they could not tell the difference between Taiwan and Thailand.[/quote]
They can’t. I know that from personal experience.
I went to Camp Round Meadow in 2008, in the San Bernardino Mountains.
One kid from my cabin, upon listening to my introduction, asked me:
“Do they have movie theaters in Thailand?” to which I replied:
“Actually, I’m not from Thailand. I’m from…”
“Oh yeah! Taikwan!”
"…we do have movie theaters. Lots of 'em. :neutral: "[/quote]
Ouch…embarrassed for my fellow Californian. The guy probably thought that’s the place the ancient martial art of “Tai kwan do” comes from.
maybe they’re curious about what shoes someone with your physical appearance wears. Taiwanese don t consider staring rude.
Though I have to wonder if Taiwanese traveling into some countries have ever gotten attacked by people who consider that aggressive or rude. “What you looking at esse?”
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