Job Discussion Forums

[rupert shellgame]

Hi, I could use some advise form informed parties; I just got to Taiwan, I don't know a word of Chinese, and just went on my first food finding foray; I'm a little panicked, and wondering if I should just back out, go home...

I cannot communicate with anyone...

Any advise would be helpful.

[surrealia]

I would suggest you hang in there. Especially if you went to all the trouble and expense of getting to Taiwan. At least make sure you have a Plan B, before you give up.

I was pretty stressed out when I first hit Taiwan, but eventually it got better.

See if you can find some other native speakers to hang out with. Or look for some Taiwanese with good English to help you along.

Also, make an effort to learn some basic survival Chinese. It will help a lot, even if you don't understand what people are saying back to you. Try this page for some simple Chinese lessons:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/chinese/real_chinese/

What area are you in? If you are in a rural area, it will probably be harder to settle in, but give it a chance.

[clark.w.griswald]

Food is quite easy to get in Taiwan without speaking the language.

Have a walk around your area at lunch or dinner time and I am sure that you will find one of those cafeteria style self service restaurants where you get a tray and then walk down the line pointing at all of the dishes that you want. You don't even need to say a word - just point.

Short of that just go to a restaurant and point at someone elses food.

Or have a friend write some basic food items onto a piece of paper and then show that to a restaurant and they will work out that you want to order those items so you can then choose one of the ones that they have.

Finally, there is always McDonalds or restaurants with English speaking staff or menus.

[rupert shellgame]

Thanks for the replies guys, I was just in a state of panick there for a bit. I'm not here with much money, so am stuck working till I can get out (if it doesn't work). But it may. It just hit me all at once when I was out trying to line up a meal. I thought: what have I done? I'm stuck here. But I'm gonna calm down and give it a chance.

Any more advise would be welcome though, thank you!

[MomCat]

7-11s and Family Marts will have snack food you will recognize. Chips, sodas,etc. They also have some salads. Reasonable prices.

McD's, Subway and Burger King all have picture menus. Be warned that they all offer selections for Taiwanese tastes. They also have the standards. Not cheap for everyday eating.

Starbucks offers food and usually there is someone who speaks English. Breakfast (small salad, small scoop of potatoes, one scrambled egg, one slice of meat, bread, butter and small coffee) is 110NT$.

Food on the street can be 20-50NT$. A few things to look for if your not quite ready to point and take your chances: The little breakfast carts that serve up a scrambled-egg pancake thing rolled around fried vegetables. Bakeries are all over and most have sandwiches. Be forewarned that most of the bread here is quite sweet and fish is frequently used as a filling.

Look for a large department store. Chances are there's a market in the basement. Western food will be expensive but if you have access to boiling water you can buy noodles-in-a-cup.

[SEndrigo]

Hi Rupert,

I'm not in Taiwan yet but I'll be there soon. I have however lived on a couple of continents so far in my young life, and I have to say that things always work out.

I don't think I felt the same way you do now when I first moved to another country, but I know some guys who did.

Just take it all in, it's wonderful...you're in a totally different country than that of your own...every day you have so many opportunities to see so many cool things, new food, new architecture, new culture, different people, new landscapes, different girls, etc.

Most people don't even get the chance to do what you're doing now, so savor it!

[Taiwanlight Zone]

Hello Rupert

Hope you're feeling better today. I think from the sound of it, you had a sudden attack of home sickness/culture shock and it's not a good thing to hit the return button when you're feeling like that. Big waste of money for a start and you may be left wondering what experiences you've missed out on that you might have had if you'd stayed the year or whatever.

You've been given plenty of good advice about eats so I thought you might like some ideas on coping with the isolation. I don't know what your living situation is but what about checking into a friendly hostel? (if you haven't done so already) You'll find people some of whom (there are always a few non compatible personalities but that's the way it goes) will be happy to help you (if they have experience) or explore with you (if they're newbies). If you haven't done so already you might also take a look at some guidebooks in the public libraries (or on the Internet). Getting to know the place well helps to cope with the feeling of strangeness that can sometimes overwhelm people from out of the blue. Stick it out and you'll find in a few months you're coping just fine whether you decide to stay or go. Good luck

[jotham]

I just moved to Japan from Taiwan, and even though I knew Japanese well eight years ago, I was scrambling for a while. Within the two weeks I've been here, there were several times I really wanted to be back in Taiwan where I have many friends, speak the language, know the food, and can predict how people react and behave in a variety of situations. Every day, I'm deciding what Japanese foods I like and what I can do without. I'm furiously learning Japanese daily and reminding myself often that it won't be long before I'll love it here as well (probably more than Taiwan). After first being in Taiwan one month, I wasn't thrilled and would have never imagined I would stay five years and enjoy it. Maybe there are similarities to the first week or month of college or military boot camp. Hang in there.

[jotham]

I just wanted to share Bryan Garner's quote of the day, which I found interesting and no doubt aids one in adjusting to a new society:

[pest2]

Ah, this thread makes me think of another question: What about grocery stores/supermarkets in Taiwan? In Korea, they only have them in larger cities. Otherwise, they have smaller places run by mom and pop with food items that have not been restocked since the IMF financial crisis of 1997. In Shanghai, on the other hand, there are even more grocery stores than in the USA... so what's TW like? I am mainly thinking about Taipei area....

[rmarqua2921]

I don't think it is possible to swtarve in Taiwan...those people eat more food than in any other country I have been...They love their food! I was in the same situation but in very short time had willing friends to help me out and are teaching me Chinese now...Really, the Taiwanese seem to be the most helpful people I have met, the Japanese probably the worst.

[SEndrigo]

It's funny you mention that...

Without wishing to over-generalize...(here's my disclaimer, LOL)

I have found Japanese people to be the most polite, yet among the least friendly people I have ever met.

I am glad you find the Taiwanese to be friendly. I'll be coming to Taiwan (Taipei) in late November.

[forest1979]

Rupert shellgame wrote:

" I just got to Taiwan, I don't know a word of Chinese, and just went on my first food finding foray; I'm a little panicked, and wondering if I should just back out, go home..."

I'm sorry but welcome to a NEW country where things are not the same as back home. What did you expect though? Didn't you realise that you might acquire culture shock by going to a country where Chinese is the first language?