Job Discussion Forums

[BigWally]

What kind of shoes would you folks recommend for use while living in Taiwan?

I've got size 12-13 feet, and I'm planning on bringing some Nike Sport Sandals, flip-flops, a pair of running shoes, and possibly a "all-conditions" type of hiking shoe...

I've never lived in a tropical environment like Taiwan before, so I'm not exactly sure what the best idea would be.

Any help would be appreciated!

Cheers

[trukesehammer]

What kind of shoes? Errrr, I reckon whatever you're used to "back home" ought to do the trick. Eveyone here wears "normal" shoes, I reckon.

--AHA! There is one difference. The slip-on kind work better for me, especially 'coz I've got lots of Taiwanese friends and, you know, when you go visit 'em and stuff, you have to, like, keep taking off your shoes all the time. The tie-shoes can be a major bummer in this case.

[Sleigh]

I brought leather sandles, they were quite thick leather, and they absorbed so much moisture they were too heavy to wear (they tore my feet apart) and they went mouldy. That said, nike sport sandles (or something like them) are a good idea, light weight and they dry quickly and easily. Hiking boots are also a good idea, I would just make sure they were as dry as possible to prevent mould growth after you wore them. Flip flops are dangerous because most side walks are tiled and very slippery...despite this I wore them all the time, you just have to be careful.

[BigWally]

hahaha....hammer you're pure jokes....here's to dry feet!!!

seriously though, thanks for the advice folks, so many unknowns moving to Taiwan, i'm just trying to cover all the bases....the simple things i take for granted in Canada dont necessarly apply there in Taiwan...

Cheers!

[Dr_Zoidberg]

I have no trouble finding size 13 shoes in Carrefour, but the selection is very limited, so I often have to settle for a colour or style I would not normally buy.

If that kind of thing is important to you, bring sufficient footwear to last until you go home.

[trukesehammer]

[BigWally]

[Pinkpepper]

i am about to start teaching in taiwan - a summer camp. and it was recommended to bring sandals, slip-slops etc. (because of the heat, obviously). but in the contract for the job, they say that in class you are only allowed to wear shoes that have to cover the back of the feet. (but why??)

does anybody have any idea what kind of shoes i could possibly wear??(without having to resort to tennis shoes/sneakers) is there such a thing as 'open shoes with the back of the foot covered'?



PinkPepper

[BigWally]

i would read that contract as "no flip-flops" in class....sandles that have a back to them (ie. birkenstocks, "nike-style" sport sandles, dress casual sandles, etc)

i would assume unless your school is VERY casual that you wouldnt wear flip-flops to class anyways....but maybe someone can prove me wrong, i'm just guessing after all...

[Pinkpepper]

makes sense!!

ok, I guess it is shoe-shopping time. good luck with your shoe shopping

[Ki]

I'm not sure about Summer camp but for the usual buxiban work you will need to wear two two pairs of shoes. One pair to go to work and another pair at work. You will not be able to wear your outside shoes inside. So if you only bring one pair of shoes you will wear their cheap undersized slippers inside.

I worked at one school where we were specifically told we had to wear fully covered shoes, no sandals, to school. But then we had to take them off at school anyway and wear slippers that not only look ugly but are dangerous to wear going up and down the stairs. I prefer to go without and walk around in socks.

I would bring one pair of shoes and one pair of sandals.

[Pinkpepper]

very interesting, thank you!!

but why do they ask you to take off your shoes? and how do they feel about walking around bare-foot?

[BigWally]