Stories about Taiwan

Somewhere in the fictional version of New York City, Samantha Jones and Carrie Bradshaw are shedding tears for me. After 9 months of living in Taipei, I’ve just about given up on men in Asia.
I’m not converting to lesbianism by any means, but I suppose I’ve abandoned the idea that I will meet anyone worthwhile [...]

After Taiwan’s Opposition, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), has won the legislative by-elections, underground radio stations triumphantly broadcast the news of victory. The radio presenters didn’t forget to remind their audience: “Taiwan has succeeded! We have taught the Kuomintang government a lesson! But after having taught a lesson, let’s not forget our health – dear [...]

Very Unlucky Houses’: Hong Kong invests, Taipei avoids
Hong Kong’s hongza: Investing in property where terrible things have happened
Recently someone jumped to his death from a high-rise in Hong Kong’s expensive Mid-levels (半山區) residential area. The person fell into the flower pots of the first floor apartment’s private terrace. The first [...]

A Christmas Story
Here is a little Christmas story submitted by our friend, Manesh.
According to an old and well-known legend, a
week before Christmas, Archangel Michael asked
his angels to visit the earth. He wanted to
know if everything was ready for the
celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. He
sent them in pairs, always an older angel
accompanying a younger [...]

The International Airport my cousin found really funny
When traveling to unknown lands, the first impression counts - my cousin’s first twenty minutes on Taiwanese soil
by Jens Kastner
My cousin came. I concede that this might not be of interest to others, but for me it did have some significance.
For three years I have been living in [...]

The Taiwanese are not independent is a recurring expat discussion in Taiwan - along with, and because of it, the frustration why we are not catapulted to instant success.
It comes from their family relationships. You will here a 40-year old man say he has to ask his parents if he can go on holiday and [...]

Today I give a grand opening Brickyard a nice visit, and the place is at Kaohsiung County in Taiwan. The Brickyard has 2 owners, Ryan and Grant and they
both are very nice people to get along with. The place has a very nice theme to it, I mean it does look like a [...]

This is another of the assumptions we make: Taiwan is going to give you a leap up into a great job back home, valuable work experience you failed to get back home. For those who come to Taiwan because they failed to get on that graduate training scheme, it is an easy hope to hang [...]

This year’s Peace Fest was set in the village of Sanzhan in beautiful Taroko National Park. Now in its 5th consecutive year, Peace Fest 2009 was the best yet for many reasons. First, the location was unbeatable. With lush green mountains draped with wispy clouds and an azure stream as backdrop, the [...]

There are a number of stages you go through in Taiwan. This one was called: Taiwanese don’t write perfect English so i am going to set up a marketing company.
“Just look at this, buddy,” said Josh holding up the brochure for his student’s hose-pipe company, and blocking access to my food which was sizzling away [...]

As foreigners in Taiwan we had the opportunity to play above our league. It may seem straightforward, but Taiwanese girls are different (see Culture Shock: Women) and there is alot of adjusting to do. It is difficult for all of us but for Eric particularly so.
Eric looked around at the people sat around him in [...]

Today is the 15th day of the seventh Lunar month, otherwise known as Ghost Day, a day people gather to burn incense and hell money, and lay out lavish amounts of food to feed hungry ghosts. During the seventh lunar month, the gates of hell open up to allow ghosts of the deceased to [...]

At the time i really committed to learning Chinese. I was going to two classes a day. This was the afternoon one.
“Good afternoon everyone,” the teacher would say in English every class and i would start to grit my teeth.
“She is quite hot! Maybe, I’ll do you a favor and ask her out,” replied the [...]

You know when you are an vacation or business you have to press palms and talk about yourself. You happily do it for the first few months in Taiwan, but then you remember you are not in Taiwan for two weeks, and sooner or later the non-PC unsubtly and stereotypes begin to get you down [...]

You get used to the usual questions, but the one about marriage I always found funniest:
“Where you from?”
“America.”
“Very good. I have been to New York, and…uh…Disneyland.”
“How long you want to stay Taiwan?”
“Two years.”
“You come alone?”
“Yes. Huh, so brave. You don’t miss your family?”
“Not really” Chuckles and giggles at the ridiculous suggestion you don’t miss your [...]