Job Discussion Forums

[Big John Stud]

I might get a job teaching a few weeks in Taiwan this summer. I am now living and working in Japan. Does anyone think Taiwan is worth visiting and working for a few weeks? If so! Where should I visit to meet friendly women.

I don't mean prostitutes! I mean regular women to learn about the culture and life style in Taiwan.

[clark.w.griswald]

If your username is anything to go by then I am sure that you should have no trouble meeting the right kind of women.

Meeting women here is really no different than anywhere, there is only a language barrier to consider. As in many foreign countries, bars are probably the best place to start, as at least many of the girls there speak English and are interested in foreigners. Just take care that you don�t end up in the wrong bar or chatting up the wrong girl. Some locals are very unforgiving of this sort of behavior.

[Big John Stud]

My user name is a joke! A big joke!

Thanks for the advice, but I guess I should rephrase the question.

Will people be open to someone who speaks no Chinese and knows little of Taiwan but a lot about Japan? In korea, people hasseled me because I like Japan.

[TaoyuanSteve]

Although Japan occupied Taiwan during the war, attitudes toward Japanese do not mirror those of the Koreans. You will find little in the way of hostility toward all things Japanese. In fact, it has been my experience that Japan is quite popular here. The kids love anime, fashion and style is heavily influenced by Japan, Japanese imported goods are viewed as high quality and Japanese is the #2 most popular foreign language studied here. You'll probably find someone interested in your knowledge of Japan here.

[Big John Stud]

Thanks! An acquaintance had warned me about going to Korea. He had lived in Taiwan and said the people there are a lot better.

You would not believe the discrimination I received there just because I said, I liked Japan. One colleague had told me to just say that I hate Japanese and everyone would like me, but I couldn't lie. Specially since they hired me knowing I had lived in Japan for four years at that time.

That was in the past. Thanks again, I am going to take this summer job and experience Taiwan culture!

[Pop Fly]

[Rice Paddy Daddy]

The Japanese and Japanese culture are accepted (if not admired) by Taiwan.

In fact, Taiwan is a major tourist destination for Japanese people.

I see Japanese tourists all over the place in Taipei and there are also lots of Japanese people running businesses here.

No worries, unlike in Korea. I suspect Korea is coming around, though.

[TaoyuanSteve]

[Big John Stud]

This is so interesting! Thanks!

Any theories of why the Koreans and many Chinese have so much resentment to the Japanese and Taiwanese don't.

I wonder if it is because since 1959 China has done worse to Tibetans than Japan ever did to China? And Koreans almost wripped themselves of the planet in their little war.

Anyway thank again! I am really looking foreward to going to Taiwan.

[Pop Fly]

[TaoyuanSteve]

Actually, I wouldn't disagree with something you said that was true. Taiwan does not harbour the kinds of resentment you talk about. I listed numerous examples of why not, including children of mixed Taiwanese/ Japanese marriages being able to be open about their background without harrassment, quite the opposite in fact. The phenomenon of Taiwan's relative lack of resentment toward their former colonial masters has even been written about in books. As RPD wrote, numerous Japanese companies and businessmen operate in Taiwan. Some notable examples: Family Mart, Mitsukoshi department stores, Yoshinoya fast food outlets, Mos Burger outlets and numerous others. Hell, I just ate in a locally owned BBQ restaurant that tries to emulate Japanese style dining. All the staff greeted me in Japanese when I entered. I've seen television commercials for everything from beauty products to real estate evoking images of Japan and Japanese lifestyle in order to sell their wares. Fact is Japan is en vogue here. The very idea that an English teacher who taught in Japan would have to be careful about telling people where he's been living the last few years makes me laugh...hard. People here are fascinated by Japan. Even those old enough to remember the occupation would be civil to a Japanese, much less a white guy who lived there.

Now you can say whatever you want about me Popfly. It doesn't bother me in the least. However, I challenge you come up with evidence that anything I've said--and the evidence I've given to back it up-- is untrue.

[Rice Paddy Daddy]

Poop Fly,

Why are you such a dork?

[Big John Stud]

Common you guys! I appreciate both of your prospectives. And I know there is good and bad in every society, in every race of people and in everyone.

I just wanted to make sure that Taiwan is not like Korea. You would not beleive what people did to me, all because I said, I like Japan.
I can't count the times, I heard a Korean say, "I hate the Japanese!"
One woman in a bar went on how she hated the U.S. and Japan. Then she got offended because I said, I like Japan better than Korea, because Japanese are kinder.

The manager of the school I worked at one time bought lunch for everyone but me. All because that morning she had asked me what country do I think is the smartest. I had said, Japan. I couldn't wait to leave Korea and return to Japan.

Anyway from what people around here tell me, and most of those post, I am willing to give Taiwan a try. Specially since I will only be working there for a few weeks.
Thanks again everyone!

[Sheep-Goats]

[Taylor]

Dear Readers,

Koreans and Taiwanese are very different.

Personally, I had several Korean roommates in the US and never really liked any of them! It seemed that the Koreans tried to semi-Americanize themselves, whereas the Taiwanese were more natural.

In answer to the original question, almost no one will resent you because you like Japan. They will probably ask you to teach them a bit of the Japanese language!!!

Are you going to be in Taipei...or elsewhere in Taiwan?

Best wishes,

Taylor
Kaohsiung, Taiwan