TAIWAN - TAIPEI

 I arrived in Taiwan, an Island that is between the pacific and south Chinese sea. A country that has different customs and speaks a foreign language. Living here for several months, facing new challenges and be responsible for my own? Yes, I’m ready for it. This blog is telling you about the cultural differences I’ve experienced during my first months in Taipei.

Everything seems different at first sight. They way local people talk, the way they look, the way they dress. You feel left out and for the first-Kme people might paLern you, because you don’t look the same way, but you realize people actually don't care. They are busy with their own lifes. As you walk down the streets a lot of people have their own shops in their houses where they live. They sell street food and a lot of extraordinary meat which would never be sold in Liechtenstein, for example duck tongue. So, you pass by and in the next corner people spit on the ground, burp, or make other undefinable noises while eaKng. Suddenly a cockroach crosses your way, and you need to watch your step. There are a lot of changes you need to get used to at first but aIer a while you don’t even noKce it anymore and it’s a part of the life here.

However, when you start visiting the country, you experience this great nature here. Everything is green and there are a lot of parks where you can simply be. Also, the people here are very friendly. Even though the language might be a challenge sometmes, they always try to help. Taiwanese public transportaton really impressed me. The buses are almost always on time despite the traffic, and they have comfortable seats. However, if there is a delay, you can see the real time information on the screen. Furthermore, the people are really sorted. For example, there is always a queue if you want to enter the metro, and nobody pushes it. There are priority seats which are only used for elderly or pregnant people. People stand up if there is no seat left for people in need.

Also, the waste management is a system on its own. Everything needs to be sorted and you cannot put the trash on the streets and the government will collect it. No, in Taiwan you must chase the Rubbish Truck and throw your trash in it by yourself. But fortunately, they play the song “für Elise” loudly, so you can hear the truck when it’s coming. The whole neighborhood stands on the streets and everyone is delighted to see each other. This leads me to another point, cleanliness. Taipei is a very clean city and especially the toilets are always clean. In most of the toilets there are service staff who clean the toilets all the time. Furthermore, there are workers who pick up trash from the streets so that everything is clean.

Taipei has a great coffee and tea culture. Almost everywhere you find cute cafés or teahouses with good coffee, tea and snacks. Local people spend much Kme there with friends, family or work there for university. And honestly, I love it. It has such a calm and producKve vibe which moKvates to get your work done. I really got used to it during this short Kme I am already here.

However, Taiwan is not that modern as I expected. Cash is King, almost everywhere you need to pay with cash. Especially in small cafés or restaurants. Also, outside the hotspots like Taipei 101 the buildings are a bit shabby sometimes which downsizes the city a little. However, it gives Taipei a traditional touch which cannot be compared with other cities.

What really surprised me is how well-equipped Taiwan is with convenience stores. At every corner you will find a 7-Eleven or a Family Mart which are the best-known convenience stores here in. If You need money, need to print, want something to eat, need to go to the toilet, go to 7-Eleven or Family Mart. Honestly, the solution in Taiwan for everything is 7-Eleven or FamilyMart.

In a nutshell, I experience new things every day and grow with new challenges. So far, I am really happy and proud that I decided to start this new chapter and I am excited what still lies ahead of me.