Job Discussion Forums

[taige]

It was the first time...

...that an agent that brought me here had to spend time in a Taiwanese jail for not having a license.

... my boss withheld my pay slip, so that he can claim the tax for himself.

...that my SO's uncle threatened to take a hit out on the SO for not giving him money that's not his.

...that a school I worked at had 12 foreign teachers to fill 2 positions over a two year period.

...that the foreign teachers' office was the only room in the whole school that wasn't air-conditioned.

...that a vehicle of mine was so mistreated. The poor scooter got slobbered with left-over food slobs, its seat got slashed, the air was let out of its back tyre twice and the break wire was cut once.

...I met a new neighbour that was falling drunk.

...that I saw Taiwanese being surprised that there are less tourists visiting.

...that I saw such blatant disregard for nature.

...that I realised that the quasi-spiritual enlightenment I looked down on back home, now looks much better compared to 'see how much money you can make in as short a time as possible'.

...that I've experienced such unashamed xenophobia.

[Taylor]

Dear taige,

I certainly can relate to a few of the comments in your post. Just a couple of questions: What is an SO? And what city were you living in?

Thanks for an interesting post!

Taylor

[forest1979]

SO normally means significant other, i.e. his girlfriend.

[BigWally]

It was the first time.....

....I realized how beautiful this country is once you're outside of the city

....I found out the warm, friendly nature of many Taiwanese

....I tasted foods that I previously couldn't have even imagined

....I earned more money than a lot of my friends who work far more hours

....I was able not to wear sweaters, and boots in the winter

....I was able to go swimming in the South China Sea

....I got to see 6 foot waves, and go swimming in them

....I found out how much fun it is to play around with kids all day

....I realized that the experience far outweighs the petty problems of day to day life

....I realized that there are so many cool people living in Taiwan

....I got to explore Asia

....I got to eat dinner with some monks

....I got to make a movie

....I got to learn how to say "Green Tea" without people looking at me strangely

....I have girls constantly staring at me (some might not like it, but I think of it as an ego boost - "yeah, thats right, you know you want this!")

....and only time I'll have an 2 floor, loft apartment, with a lake view, for under $200CDN/mth

[mangoholic]

OP,

Welcome to "Taibodia"

[Ki]

Who was your agent? I think I know him.

[MomCat]

taige,

Great experiences make great memories, but bad experiences can make great comedy. Have you considered writing this up in the third person? I think it could be very funny. A diabolical and possibly demented uncle, a jailed agent, a tax dodging boss, spiritual enlightenment and luggies on the scooter seat. What more do you want?

Congratulations on not having a boring Taiwan experience.

Cat

[taige]

I wish I was more literary. From the outside situations like these could be funny, but I'm hopeless at skillfull exposition.
Maybe I should practice some more.
...And thanks for the positive 'first times'. I had a black-cloud-day yesterday.

[SEndrigo]

Wow, I'm loving this thread. We get two completely different viewpoints!

Guys, keep it coming, even if it's negative...I mean, that's what those of us who are not yet in Taiwan are looking for, your subjective experiences, even if they aren't very rosy.

I will tell you though, I bet a lot of us could come up with first or seconds or thirds or fourths on some of the things that have happened to us elsewhere. LOL.

Keep it coming! Cheers!