Job Discussion Forums

[StayingPower]

What do you think are the major value differences in Taiwan compared to your home country, or America? I know the surface values, ie., family, money, friends, but I'm speaking on a deeper level, perhaps the psyche, or what makes up the mindset.

Sounds a little abstruse, or deep, I know. Yet I'm apt to compare and make some critical judgments about my culture and theirs, ie., lack of assertiveness, passive-aggressiveness, somewhat amoral ethics and more. It may help in understanding how to deal with awkward situations.

Was watching a program on Discovery or National Geographics where they had a documentary about gambling in Asia. I guess in HK, and Taiwan, they consider gambling a sort of way of investing, not a vice.

I've also noted how teachers here are very apt to praise and reward the losers in a class competition as well as the winners. Maybe says something.

[Tawa]

i've got a good Taiwanese friend who tells me that her life is very planned out by her high achieving parents. She has been studying here in New Zealand for something like 5 years. What she fails to grasp is that whilst on paper here quals may look fantastic, she would be stumped by a typical interview question like "so what do you like to do outside of your studies?".

Of course i'm sure that the pressure from home must be intense and being a kiwi (New Zealander) i will probably never have an understanding of that, i still wonder sometimes if she and her friends alike are allowed the simple luxuries of stopping to smell the roses or letting their hair down and getting off the rails once in a while.

I also met a Taiwanese guy near Everest base camp once and if you can picture an Asian version of Mick 'Crocodile' Dundee in Mountaineering gear then need i say any more? He said he lived for adventure and traveled the World on a hedonistic whim. I hope he's still out there somewhere, partying till the early hours and living his dream

[Miyazaki]

Sense of individualism is the most important value young people hold on to in Taiwan.

[StayingPower]

I guess you have to 'have' some values in order to recognize others, be it good or bad, unless one constant is what the Chinese call 'The middle road.' This may just be the sum and substance of Taiwanese values too.

I don't know, but I do believe this concept rubs off on a lot of Westerners and attracts a lot of. . .hear no evil see no evil, or vice versa.