16 Things That Mean Something Different in Taiwan

My transition to living in Taiwan has been fairly easy. That is not to say that there have not been some adjustments. Here are sixteen things that mean something different in Taiwan.

1. scooter

United States: Maybe this is because I am child of the 90s, but I always picture children on Razor scooters. 

Taiwan: If you saw my last post, you know scooting is very different in Taiwan. A scooter is like a Vespa and is the preferred way to transport adults, children, dogs, and IKEA furniture, frequently all at the same time.

 2. doctor

United States: Something that is done occasionally for more serious ailments, because going to the doctor is expensive. 

Taiwan: Something that is done for every ailment, because it is cheap. This past week I had a cold and I was asked if I had gone to the doctor yet. 

3. garbage day

United States: People pay money to have garbage trucks come to your house and pick up the trash on a certain day of the week. 

Taiwan: Garbage day is almost every day. Trucks come around playing classical music (that sounds deceptively like ice cream truck music) and people bring their garbage to the truck. The Taiwan picture is from this past week by my apartment. 

4. tissue

United States: What you use to blow your nose with. 

Taiwan: Frequently interchangeable with napkins, tissue, and toilet paper.

5. mask

United States: Something that is worn as part of a costume, like on Halloween. 

Taiwan: Something that is worn when one is sick to prevent others from getting sick. Also, masks can be worn while scooting to avoid exhaust fumes.

6. nap

United States: Something that is done by small children almost daily and by adults on occasion. I rejected this idea in preschool and would practice tying knots in my shoes instead of sleeping. 

Taiwan: Something that is done on a daily basis by both adults and children. At my school from 12-1 pm every day students pull out cots and have nap time. All students and teachers sleep during this time, because people go to bed later. Pictured are my students' cots in my classroom. 

7. dessert

                       United States: A wide range of sugar-filled choices to be eaten after meals. e.g. cake

Taiwan: A smaller range of less sweet choices that are eaten pretty unfrequently. e.g. sponge cake with fruit. This is a picture of the birthday cake one of my students brought to school. 

8. shower

United States: Something that is usually done daily or after a workout. 

Taiwan: Something that is done 2-3 times a day or after every time you go outside to wash the sweat off.

9. shoes

United States: Typically one pair that is put on for the day. 

Taiwan: Includes street shoes, which are taken off before going inside school, inside shoes, and bathroom shoe varieties. Pictured are bathroom shoes at my school that all the kids share and put on when they go to the bathroom. 

10. 7-11

United States: A gas station known for Slurpees. 

Taiwan: A convenience store known for quick food, ATMs, bill paying, taxi calling, ticket counter, and everything you could possibly ever need.

11. glass of water

United States: A large glass that is cold and usually filled with ice. 

Taiwan: A small glass that is usually lukewarm temperature with no ice. Ice is thought to be unhealthy, as is drinking things that are very cold. 

12. spoon

United States: see picture

Taiwan: see picture

13. swimming

United States: Something that is done in summer outside or indoor for recreational or workout purposes. 

Taiwan: Something that is done outside for two months of the year, because otherwise it is not hot enough. It is done for recreational and workout purposes. For both purposes it involves wearing a swim cap and stretching for about 20-25 minutes before entering the pool.

14. New Year

United States: Celebrated in January and involves staying up until midnight, hats, countdowns, and noise makers. 

Taiwan: Celebrated in end of January/beginning of February and involves closing businesses and travelling to visit family.

15. Eating out/cooking

United States: Eating out is something that is done once in awhile, like on special occasions. Cooking is done most frequently and often involves and oven/stove. 

Taiwan: Eating out is done at least one meal a day. It is less expensive than cooking. Most living spaces do not have an oven, but instead use a toaster oven.

16. cute

United States: An adjective most commonly used to describe children and baby animals. 

Taiwan: "Ke ai" in Chinese.  An adjective used to describe everything.