Job Discussion Forums

[funky_dunc]

Do Taiwanese/Foreigner relationships have the same stigma in Taiwan as they do in the mainland?

[SanChong]

I'm not sure exactly what the stigma is in the Mainland, I'm not as familiar with things there.

In Taiwan, there really isn't much of a stigma. I'd say it's more or less fully accepted. The only thing Taiwanese people don't like are foreigners who pretend they may be taking a relationship seriously, only to go back to their country and leave a broken heart behind.
If you treat a relationship here the same as you would a relationship back home and are completely honest with the girl/guy, no one will have any problem with you dating here. More and more Westerners are marrying Taiwanese girls. I'd say it's much MUCH more common now than it was even 3-5 years ago.

What is the stigma in the Mainland?

[wix]

I think SanChong is right. Most people think nothing of it. However, at the individual level some Taiwanese families won't accept a foreigner. I think part of the reason might be what SanChong mentioned about fear of them leaving Taiwan.

If you are in a relationship with a Taiwanese don't be in too much of a hurry to meet their family. When you do meet them know that it is a serious step and if the parents don't approve of you your relationship could face a major hurdle. Also if you meet the parents and then the relationship ends the girl can lose face.

All that said most Taiwanese these days are quite accepting of things nowadays, but like any society pockets of conservatism remain.

[dangerousapple]

It took a number of years before my girlfriend's family would even acknowledge that she was dating me, and a few more years of patiently waiting before they would accept me. That girlfriend has now been my wife for a few years, and I am treated as part of the family now.

Patience is the key, especially if you have trouble communicating with her/his parents. It's hard to trust someone when you cant' talk to them.

[jonks]