Job Discussion Forums

blackguy-n-Asia · Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Posts: 201

If you had darker skin and dark hair, or if you were philipino, african, mediterianian, middle eastern, south american---anywhere around the equator---dark, would people in Taiwan treat you differently than a blonde hair, blue eyed person from, lets say....Europe? If so, why?

buddy bradley · Joined: 14 Jul 2004 Posts: 89 Location: The Beyond

You should know this if are indeed in Asia as you claim to be: Yes. Yes, they will treat you differently.

It's not as bad as South Korea, but most Taiwanese people do not like black people (well, they don't like any dark skin) and are actually afraid of blacks.

Why? Well, they consider dark skin to be dirty. If you're a dark-skinned Taiwanese, it means that you work in the fields and are thus uneducated.

Also, a lot of Taiwanese associate blacks with the bruthas they see when they watch films, and are inclined to think that all black people are gangstas.

That's the way it is in Taiwan. I met about 10 black people during my two and a half years there and only one of them really enjoyed Taiwan.

Maybe stay in Korea for a while and then go to Taiwan; that way it won't seem so bad.

A.K.A.T.D.N. · Joined: 12 Jun 2004 Posts: 170

You're living in a day and age where skin is detox and heroin addicts an achronism.

Welcome to Chicago, 50% African-American.

I've been black all my life, and they still don't know my name.

Fortigurn · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 390

My wife is black. She was apprehensive when we came, but she hasn't experienced a shred of prejudice. She's been welcomed unquestioningly and uncritically by everyone she has met. Heck, she experienced more racism back in the States!

She takes four people for private English tutoring, and they don't seem to have any qualms whatever about her colour.

Aristotle · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1388 Location: Taiwan

blackguy-n-Asia · Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Posts: 201

Aristotle wrote:

Libertarian · Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2004 4:06 pm Post subject:

Unfortunately, anybody who`s not of North East Asian ethnic stock will always be a foreigner. The worst jobs at the language mills prefer someone young, white and female. However, if you have good credentials you could get a better job in a real school as they look at your qualifications. I wouldn`t write off Taiwan completely.

Fortigurn · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 390

Fortigurn · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 390

A.K.A.T.D.N. · Joined: 12 Jun 2004 Posts: 170

MTurton · Joined: 10 Mar 2004 Posts: 107

Wonder · Joined: 29 Jun 2003 Posts: 109

The Taiwanese are racist from our perspective, but not from theirs. Unfortunately, it is because of their lack of sophistication. And unlike multi-cultural countries, the Taiwanese have little or no knowledge of living daily lives with people of different color. They will tolerate foriegners and in most cases be cheerful and friendly. But you will never be seen as an equal.

This might be a harsh statement, but a good example of this is being served in a 7-Eleven. Let's say you are at the counter waiting for your turn. When you finally get your turn, someone barges in off the street demanding whatever, and they are served quickly before you.

Actually, in almost every service industry, except upscale restaurants, Taiwanese will be served before people of another color. Most will consider it a huge insult if they are served afterward, even if they have entered the establishment AFTER you.

They just don't see it as racism. There are no ethnic jokes in a lot of situations, they just see foreigners as always being second. No matter what color you are, if you are not Taiwanese, you will be stared at like you have just landed from Mars and you have your Martian suit on.

Taiwanese will not get angry at other Taiwanese if they cut each other off on the road, but if you are a person of a different color, you will get a helmet in the back of the head if you beep at someone or cut them off.

Mind you, if you are an ESL teacher, or a professional who is valued on the job, the attitude is different in the office.

And some western style bars are great, simply because the Taiwanese you encounter there are looking to party with westerners. And let's not forget the Taiwanese girls who love western men Wink

.

But alone on the mean streets of Taiwan, be prepared to always come second.

Fortigurn · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 390

Fortigurn · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 390

matchstick_man · Joined: 21 May 2003 Posts: 244 Location: Taiwan

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't there a black Chinese speaking African American on the game shows here. I know two coloured South Africans who have been told they weren't employed because of their skin color.

Personally I get treated differently to even some of my white friends as I am a thin, blonde haired blue eyed male. However I tend not to let how much Chinese I actually understand and find it rare that the people here will be direct with any foreigner.