I’ve here for two days now. I went to a place called ‘Vibe’ last night as it was highly recommended to me, but the place is awful! Bad atmosphere, terrible music, and the patrons! Anti-American Nova Scotians dressed like bums.
Then, I left Vibe to go somewhere else. I met a French guy who told me about Luxy (sp?), so onward to Luxy I went (via taxi, of course). But when I arrived, the place was closing!
Anyway, besides over-priced ‘rave’ clubs, are there foreigner-friendly establishments here that lack that ‘foreign-herd’ mentality that was so prevalent at Vibe?
Maybe it wasn’t so much Vibe as the vibes you give off. If your attitude in person is anything like your posts I’m not surprised you have trouble making friends.
Terror, how old are you?And why are you here…in Tiawan, clearly its not for anything culutral or educational. Also, you’ve come to the most cliqued out foreign herd in town to ask this questions…ha, ha, haaaa… I suggest you pop into the nearest neighborhood pub and learn some local language and etiquette, and what cliqueness is really like. Good luck on your search. Suggestion" Restaurants and pubs section here is full of good listings…try 'em one by one unitl yoou find the herdless, cliqueless spot you are looking for.
I know it’s a generalization, but Taiwanese live at home until they get married. Therefore, when they go home from clubbing, it’s to their parent’s home. You might say they are basically at the same social level Americans are in high school.
I hate to say it y’all, but he’s right. For a new kid in town who came here on his own, the pubs, bars, and clubs here are an utter mongrel. Trying to strike up a conversation with people - random people you don’t know, remember - is never easy to start with, but here it’s like slapping a sign on your forehead saying “kick me”. In general, Taipei’s bars are not friendly to newcomers.
I haven’t been out much in Taipei so I can’t comment, but I would say that other cities are probably friendlier in general, regarding both foreigners and Taiwanese.
Having said that I have met some very friendly people in Taipei but I think the general trend is thus.
I don’t generally find pubs and clubs to be good places to meet new people anyway, but I suppose some people do.
I completely disagree… I talk to strangers in pubs all over the city nearly every day. Local and Foriegn, have never had friendly response all around, and have made some interesting new friends.
[quote=“chodofu”]I completely disagree… I talk to strangers in pubs all over the city nearly every day. Local and foreign, have never had friendly response all around, and have made some interesting new friends.[/quote]Actually, you’re right and come to think of it I’ve met some nice people and made a couple of good friends in pubs, though more locals than foreigners.
Maybe clubs are a little different though. Good for going with existing friends but not so easy to make new ones. One thing is it’s difficult to have a decent conversation because of the music. Still, people I know have made new friends in clubs as well.
Last night I went to check out DV8, which I heard is quite good. Unfortunately, i arrived too early and was thus the only customer. I didn’t want to stay by myself drinking as I’m trying to save some of my cash.
Terror, I support what most others are saying: the pub crowds in Taipei are very friendly, apart from the group of arrogant,up-themselves investors at The Shannon. Avoid The Shannon and you’ll make friends very easily in all the other Taipei bars.
[quote]I’ve here for two days now. I went to a place called ‘Vibe’ last night as it was highly recommended to me, but the place is awful! Bad atmosphere, terrible music, and the patrons!
[/quote]
Maybe you weren’t drunk enought to enjoy Vibe. I’ve never gone there completely sober and wind up having a good time Yes the music is awful but after a few drinks you don’t care anymore.
What is it about the foreigner scene in that little city? Of all the places I’ve lived in Taiwan, Chiayi counts as the most oppressively clique-y. I don’t know what the reason for it is.
UPDATE: I’m off to Gaoxiong tomorrow. Thanks to my incredible charm, rapier wit and unbelievable social skills I’ve landed some free accomodation. I am a good man.
I went to a place called ‘Vibe’ last night as it was highly recommended to me, but the place is awful! Bad atmosphere, terrible music, and the patrons! [/quote]
Vibe is Vibe… It’s not somewhere you go to because someone recommended it to you, or because you want to, or planned to…
You go there because it’s 5am, you’re totally wasted, and some b**stard suggests it and woo-hoo! what a great idea it is at the time…
people tend to retreat into parochial groups when they suffer prolonged or short term culture shock. It is inevitable… You just have to keep trying until you meet some guys or girls on your wavelength, believe me, there are FRIENDLY people out there… Although you may have to talk first, eventually you will find someone who is unafraid to live quite independently of the social whirl, carousel, etc… Of course, you may be disappointed if you are searching for free spirits. Taiwan IS a very materialistic place, and the standards of attraction and socially acceptable behavior are very stringent and codified according to skin color, economic creed and familial expectation. I wish you luck. I KNOW there are free people out there, waiting for you, terror!
whats this guy talking about man… i goto bars and i even meet guys that want my phone # and to hang out haha, shit aint tough at all, id really step to any girl i find interesting also, whats the worst that can happen? you get ina fight with her gangster boyfriend, maybe its just because im so stunningly beautiful, im not sure of the reason, ya vibe is an after hours spot for sure, its about as classy as B1, you go there at 5 am.
Yes the music is awful but after a few drinks you don’t care anymore.
