Meeting & Greeting
Greeting in Taiwan is normally done in a formal manner and the oldest person in the group is usually greeted first. Handshakes with foreigners are common among Taiwanese and they usually look towards the ground when greeting as a sign of respect. Of course! You are not expected to do this gesture as they understand it is not customary with your cultures.
Taiwanese names, just like Chinese names, have the surname or family name first and then followed by one or two personal names. In addition, always address Taiwanese by their academic, professional, or honorific title and their surname. As most of their personal names have some significant meaning to it, it is a good way to break the ice between you and the Taiwanese by asking about the meaning behind it.
Shoes
Before entering a Taiwanese home, you are expected to remove your shoes even though the host might insist you don’t have (It’s just a fake courtesy!). Thus, its better that you take off your shoe before entering as they pride themselves in maintaining a clean floor at home!
When you’re out in public places, you are not expected to take off your shoes except in a few restaurants or tea houses with tatami mats.
Gift Giving
Giving and receiving gifts is very common in Taiwan. Gifts are usually given at different occasions such as Chinese New Year, weddings, births and funerals. Furthermore, when you are invited to a Taiwanese home for dinner, it is important to prepare gifts. This can be a food basket, a bottle of wine, chocolates, pastries and some fruits etc or you can provide any type of branded items from your home country as generally Taiwanese like brand names. However, it is important to take note not to give gifts that signify deaths such as white flowers, chrysanthemums and clocks. Furthermore, do not present scissors, knives or other cutting utensils as gifts as they indicate that you want to sever the relationship.
When you are presenting a gift, it is important to remember to present it with your two hands. As for receiving gifts, decline once before accepting and open later privately, never upon receiving it as it would be considered rude!
Good & Bad Omens
Good Omens:
Auspicious colours: Red, Pink and Yellow
Bad Omens:
Colours: White (associated with death), Black and Blue
Unlucky numbers: Four (4) and Odd numbers (1, 3, 5 ... ...)
Topics: Deaths and accidents (avoid talking such topics as talking about these topics may imply that it might occur)
Gifts: As mentioned earlier, some gifts represent bad luck/omen in the Taiwanese culture However, the bad luck/omen of such gifts can be offset if the receiver offers the giver a small amount of money. This makes the exchange of gift into a purchase.
Guanxi (Relationship)
“Guanxi” is translated as “relationship” in English and it is one of the most powerful forces in the Chinese culture, especially in the business context. It is crucial to know that Taiwanese prioritize personal relationship before business. Relationships are built upon trust and respect. It will be ideal to engage through a third party introduction for it allows immediate credibility. Lastly, “Guanxi” can help to open doors, smoothes out problems, provide opportunities and even leads to more connections.
Concept of Face
Taiwanese are very concerned about the concept of face or “lien” in Chinese because it reflects a person's reputation, dignity, and prestige. There are three types of face concept and they are “giving face”, “losing face” and “saving face”.
Business Cards
Business cards or “Ming Pien” (name cards) should be carried with you during your stay at Taiwan. Most businesses and individuals have cards, and people exchange them like handshakes. It would be ideal to have it translated on one side into Chinese as it indicates a sign of respect to the linguistic necessity and English on the other side. Also, always receive and give with your both hands (sign of respect!) and it is polite to study the card for a while or you can put it away respectfully in a card case and not simply pushed into a trouser pocket as this is considered as rude!
Tipping
Tipping is rare in Taiwan. You are not expected to tip taxi drivers and restaurants. However, you should tip service people such as porter, hair stylists or bellhops and service personnel in International hotels.
Wedding
In Taiwan, even though the lifestyle is greatly influence by the west as evident by their dressings and entertainments today, occasions like weddings still keep the customs, traditions and values intact.
In the past, it is very common for marriages to be arranged by the parents and sometimes it’s so common that even a child’s marriage could be arranged before he or she is born, as long as the parents from both families agreed. Also, sometimes the groom and bride might not even seen each other until the day of the wedding.
In the modern days, most Taiwanese are able to choose their own partner whom they love and get married. Of course! Both families still need to agree with the marriage. If people are unable to find their true love, there are matchmakers to help them find suitable partners.
After a couple is engaged, their parents would normally consult a fortune teller to choose an auspicious date for their marriage. After the wedding ceremony, the couple would have their farewell meal at the bride’s house and then proceed to the groom’s house to pay respects to the family ancestors.
