Social Etiquette 101: A Look at the Taiwanese/Chinese Culture

One might find many taboo similarities between the East Asian cultures. This is because many countries in this area have Chinese influences, as the Chinese culture is the oldest of all East Asian cultures. Most Taiwanese people migrated from China almost 400 years ago; thus, the two cultures overlap and observe the same taboo and etiquette. As a result, the taboos are indeed interchangeable.

Never, ever stick your chopsticks in a bowl of rice, as it is symbolic of incense sticks at a temple, memorizing the dead. This notion is a sign of inviting the deceased to join you for dinner. Instead, consider putting your chopsticks on top of your bowl of rice, or little porcelain chopstick holders found at high-end restaurants. Keep in mind that this is an absolute faux pas in the Taiwanese/Chinese culture.

The Taiwanese like giving gifts, most often a chic box of chocolate, candy, cookies and biscuits. Plan on giving gifts when you go to another person's home, or are invited to dinner. Sometimes, people like giving boxes or baskets of fresh fruit; however, keep in mind that there are many taboos that forbid certain objects to be given as gifts. Note the following:

• The Number 4: Never give monetary values with the number four in it (ie. $400, $4000, $104, etc.) This is because in the Taiwanese language the number four is a homophone with the word "dead." It is better to give people monetary values in increments of 25, 50, or 100. Not that the numbers 2, 6 (yes, 6), and 8 are taught of as lucky. As a result, one would rather receive $375 as opposed to $400, as the four is symbolic of death.

• Umbrellas and fans- In the Taiwanese language, the word "umbrella" is a homophone to the word "shan" which means to break apart, disperse scatter. This implies breaking apart a friendship. As a loophole, if one plans to lend or give an umbrella he or she would request the receiver to give 1 NT (roughly $1=30NT) as a token of sales. That way, because of the exchange of money and product, he or she is not "actually" giving an umbrella as a gift. Only resort to giving umbrellas as gifts, if it has some sort of other value, not just as any gift. For example it might have a sentimental value, or maybe the umbrella was a handcrafted souvenir from a foreign country.

• Clocks- the same applies to clocks. The word "clock" is a homophone for "giving one's last rights" Again, if it is absolutely necessary to give a clock, one may choose to use the loophole.

• Shoes- it is not a good idea to give someone a pair of shoes as it implies you wanting them to walk away, and disperse from you.

• Pears- is the only fruit to avoid giving as it is a homophone for "to leave."

When it comes to social events, the Taiwanese people are not very punctual. When an invitation says 7:00 wedding reception at Tao's Restaurant and Ballroom, one should plan on arriving at 7:30, the actual start of the extravaganza.
Drinking is fine as long as it is not excessive. Very rarely, will one find drunkards on the streets of Taiwan, as it is a sign of immaturity, irresponsibility, and shame.

You are expected to remove your shoes when you enter a person's house. You may be offered a pair of indoor slippers at the door. If not, you might find a pair of slippers at the door of the bathroom, for bathroom use, and some at the door of the balcony/porch for going outside.

You are not expected to tip at restaurants and hotels.

Give and accept business cards and gifts with both hands. This is respect.

The culture expects filial piety, or respect to elders. This may mean holding doors for them, serving them food at a sit-down, family-style meal, etc. As always, do not discuss politics. You might find many right wing, left wing people, and you do not want to start a heated conversation.