cultural differences in taiwan

personal space

people stand much closer to each other

polite conversation topics

• how are you/have you eaten?

• questions about your weight, appearance, marital status, income, etc are common

• avoid pointing out mistakes of others

how to present gifts to someone?

• bring if invited to one’s home (tea, fruit, specialty food)

• present/receive gifts with both hands

• they may refuse the gift a few times

• DO NOT GIVE scissors, knives, umbrellas, pears, chrysanthemums, utensils, clocks

• DO NOT GIVE four of anything

eating

• place chopsticks across the top of the bowl or on the table when done eating

• an extra pair of chopsticks is usually for public use and should be used to take food from serving trays

• don’t refuse food that is placed on your plate while at a host’s home

• observe what others do

what to do when first meeting someone

shake hands

what to do before entering someone’s house

remove your shoes

should you tip at restaurants

no, just let the staff know you enjoyed the food

how to respect elders

• always hold the door open for them

• greet the eldest person first when meeting a group of people

using public restrooms

• don’t put toilet paper in the toilet bowl, put it in the waste basket

• bring tissues wherever you go