living in the concrete jungle that is Taipei.

I’ve been in Taiwan for several years now and here is what I learned...

Getting by in Taipei...

1) At all costs, if you don’t want to be bothered, just speak English. It doesn't even have to be comprehensable. They’ll walk away fast! Especially if they’re older or kids in their late teens early 20’s. They have learned English but some are too shy to speak, they’ll have the deer in the headlights stare. It’s pretty fun.

2) Even the locals do this, but I have a soundtrack when I step out in the streets of Taipei. I never go anywhere without my headphones/mp3/phone. Music makes everything much sweeter.

3) When you get a cell phone call…pick up and say “whasaaaaup”? Especially on the metro, you'll get looks...dirty stares :P I've seen an english speaker on the metro with no one around him. He was chatting on his phone and there was no one within 2 feet around him. He's got the English shield.

4) Go out to a Chinese restaurant and can't read the menu. Just ask the waiter for their recommendation...its always a good surprise to find out what you’re going to eat.

5) Bargaining or haggling with street vendors and sometimes electronics dealers is always the norm. My wife talked her way to a 30% discount on a pair of shoes.

6) The longer the line someplace is, the more “famous” the food. I can’t explain it, I just follow where my wife takes me! If the line is halfway around the block, then it must really be good food.

7) If its winter time in Taiwan…head for the hot springs!

8) They say an hour drive time is a long time in Taiwan.

9) Theres a 7-Eleven mostly on every street corner. Once in a while, you’ll find a Family mart or Hi life next to a 7-Eleven.

10) The dogs here know how to cross the street. I have seen a dog sit at the intersection waiting for the light to turn so that it can cross the street. My dog in the US can’t even do that.


11) You can use your smartphone anywhere. I was sitting in a taxi at a stop light and next to us, there were a pair of motor scooters with the riders checking their smartphone.  


12) On rainy days like the states, people forget how to drive.