As you might’ve guessed, I am Asian, or more specifically, I am Taiwanese. I constantly get comments like “being Taiwanese is the same as being Chinese!” I admit, if you think that being Taiwanese is the same as being Chinese, and you wouldn’t be totally wrong. However, you are still wrong and it irks me a lot when people say this. So in this blog, I will be outlining the basics of Taiwanese culture. Our culture is pretty intermixed with China’s. So some Taiwanese cultural standards I mention will overlap with some Chinese cultural standards. 

The Language:

Yes, as rumors have it, Taiwanese people do speak Mandarin Chinese. But we also have our own language of Taiwanese Hokkien, which both my parents speak. My mom likes to talk about me in Taiwanese Hokkien on the phone to family friends, knowing I don’t fully understand the language. But, after multiple repetitions, I am able to pick up when she is gossiping about me. Most Taiwanese citizens are able to speak Taiwanese Hokkien or Mandarin Chinese, so if you can understand either language, navigating through Taiwan should be easy. 

Lunar New Year:

Both cultures celebrate this holiday. This holiday is amongst the most known in Taiwan. During Lunar New Year, there is a tradition of gifting out red envelopes. You usually receive red envelopes from your parents and grandparents. Red envelopes symbolize good luck and inside them, there is money. These can be given out on other special occasions like weddings. On this holiday, we wish each other a year of health, good luck, and monetary wealth.

Taiwanese Respect: 

In Taiwan, we place a heavy emphasis on the idea of respect. You must treat your elders with respect, even if you do not agree with them or are unhappy with them. When you see someone older than you, no matter the age, you must greet them by their relation to you. For example, if I see my older cousin, I would greet him formally in Mandarin with “Hello Brother.” This is mandatory in order for your elders to see you in a respectful manner. When you visit a house that is not your own, always offer to clean up. When eating, the elders receive the food first. When addressing elders, use a special form of “you” to represent respect and formality. 

3 Popular Cultural Foods That Originated From Taiwan:

The first one on the list might surprise you. Bubble tea. I bet you didn’t know bubble tea originated from Taiwan. This chewy and sweet tapioca filled milk tea is the pride of Taiwan. You can find a bubble tea shop around each corner. Now, bubble tea has become very popular in North America and a favorite drink of many Asians and Americans. You can find pork buns in your local Chinese restaurant. This is Taiwan’s version of a hamburger. The pork inside is juicy, tender, and flavorful. The bun is soft and has almost no flavor. These two components contrast each other to make a concoction that is unique and tasteful. After a long or cold day, an oyster vermicelli will warm you right up. This is a type of noodle soup that features oysters and misua noodles (salty wheat flour noodles). Forget your chicken noodle soup; oyster vermicelli is where it’s at! 

Transportation: 

Taiwan’s transportation varies vastly from the U.S. ‘s. In America, almost everyone travels in cars. However, in Taiwan, a good majority of people travel by motorcycles, taxis, and buses. This is because there is limited room for cars by living shelters. Also, driving in Taiwan takes serious skill. There are many automobiles and the road spaces are very crowded. Getting around locally in a motorcycle is perhaps the easiest way to travel because you can weave through cars and reach your destination faster.

 

Now you understand some of the basics of Taiwanese culture and traditions. Taiwan holds a special place in my heart and to share my culture with you means a lot to me. I hope you consider appreciating Taiwanese culture, and perhaps decide to visit the country one day.