Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
however, as well-connected people are often able to get away with anything, even violent
crime.
Many adults in Taiwan have no social life, or skills, due to a lifetime concentrated on in-
tense study and long working hours. It's estimated there are 620,000 single women in
their 30s, and 871,000 men.
The Taiwanese Character
Taiwanese have often been characterised as some of the friendliest people in the world.
Reports from Western travellers and officials in Taiwan in the 1930s read like modern ac-
counts which suggests friendliness is a deep long-standing quality. Some claim this likely
has to do with Taiwan's immigrant background in which trust among strangers was para-
mount.
The important concept of 'face' can seem scary to those prone to social gaffes, but in
reality the idea is largely about not causing someone else to lose status or dignity in front
of their peers. Locals may often appear humble and polite but they have a fierce pride.
Taiwanese men seem to have an instinctive way of defusing tension, but once things go
too far, then extreme violence is often the end result.
Taiwanese stress harmony in relationships, and if the choice is to be made between
maintaining harmony and telling the truth, many people opt for the former. It's best to
see this as an expression of different values. The concept of a white lie is very broad for
Taiwanese.
Associated with this is flattery. Travellers are often told how beautiful they are or that
their Chinese is terrific. The best response is a smile and a humble reply in the negative,
to avoid sounding arrogant. On the other hand people are often shockingly direct once
they know you and will tell you directly you have gained weight, gotten ugly, are wear-
ing unflattering clothing, and so on. And between friends and even loved ones a bossy,
pushy, insulting tone is often taken. However, one of the best parts of the Taiwanese
character is the general capacity for very open, sincere and lifelong friendships.
Taiwan has a literacy rate of 96.1%. No mean feat considering the country uses tradi-
tional Chinese characters to read and write with, and the average adult must learn to
write and recognise thousands.
