I want to share three stories from my time in Taipei that made me fall in love with Taiwan all over again.
A Wonderful Culture: Three Stories From My Visit To Taiwan
Taiwan is not at all like Mainland China. While the People’s Republic has cleaned up its cities, there’s a sense of fear that pervades the land. Internet searches are censored and individual rights must always give way to the collective good, as judged by the communist party leaders.
In Taiwan, there’s a sense of freedom that is starkly different than across the Taiwan Strait and it shows itself not only in the lack of censorship, but in the kindness of the people.
As I was walking through the city, I stopped at a shop (I don’t even know what type of shop it was…) where there was an older man sitting and watching the World Series game. He noticed I was watching and beckoned me inside. We sat and watched Freddie Freeman hit a game-winning walk-off home run in the 18th inning. He couldn’t speak English and I could not speak Mandarin, but he kept patting me on the shoulder and smiling as the game continued in extra innings.
Later on, I had coffee at a place called Wilbeck. There was a girl working there who smiled at me and seemed so pleased that I had stopped there for coffee. When I ordered a flat white to stay (in a ceramic cup), she beamed. The coffee was delicious and she asked twice if it was okay, thanking me profusely as I left for stopping by. It was such a nice exchange and I so appreciated not only the excellent coffee, but the very kind service. I felt so welcomed, which is not always the case when I’m in a foreign nation.
On my way out of Taipei, I thought I could pay for my bus ticket by credit card, as I had at Taipei Airport on the way in the day before. Nope. Small problem: it was cash or local bank card only, the bus was departing, I had no Taiwan dollars, and there was no currency exchange at the bus station.
An older woman saw my predicament and, without hesitation, handed the driver 200 NTD (about 6.5 USD). All I had was a 20 USD bill, but I took it out and handed it to her. She refused. I tried again, but she refused again. When we reached the airport, I tried for a third time, but she refused and said, “My pleasure.”
What a beautiful gesture…a kind and hospitable act that I will not forget and will pass on.
These three interactions are anecdotal, but I left Taiwan with a deep sense of respect and gratitude for my visit.
CONCLUSION
When it comes to geopolitics, I recognize US policy since the Nixon administration, but I still feel like Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China, is the “real” China and the communist breakaway on the mainland is a counterfeit, authoritarian regime. But the People’s Republic is playing the long game and like a crouching tiger, will strike Formosa at the opportune moment, as the US reels in its own stupor, and eat it up.
In the meantime, Taiwan seems to me to be the hidden gem of East Asia, a highly developed nation with a proud and hospitable people. I cannot wait to return. Enjoy it while you can…
I’m sharing about my whirlwind trip through Asia.
Your experiences brightened my day. Thank you for sharing.
I have similar feelings about Taiwan after we visited earlier this year. Lots of cultural nuances that collectively make a lasting impression.
1) My taxi driver was embarrassed and “sweating it” because he didn’t have $5 TWD or 15 U.S. cents to give me back in change.
2) The sole 7-Eleven employee was asleep in the back office and no customers left with unpaid goods. We all just waited 10 minutes until a fellow customer woke the employee up.
3) The owners of independent coffee shops in Koashiung and Tainan serving us free pastries to go with out beverages.
We’re going back in January.
excuse the typo. Should be “free pastries to go with OUR beverages.