Preface - Ruminations of an aging Taiwanese neophyte

As I approach the end of my first year here in Taiwan, I want to spend some time writing down where I stand and why I put myself in that place. I believe my perspective is important for both you ancient Taiwan ex-pats and those of you who are simply curious (or doing a social studies project). For the latter, the reason is obvious, I know a lot more about Taiwan than you do (beginning with the fact that it’s not Thailand). I know what it’s like to walk the streets here. I now live with a Taiwanese family (not to mention I’ve been dating a Taiwanese girl for about two and half years now).

I know a lot of the minutia one only gets from really immersing himself in the culture. Some may disagree that those of us with so little background should be writing about Taiwan -- maybe they don't -- but if so, I'll have to disagree.

Nevertheless, I’m still more or less on the outside. My Chinese is still very basic (你在哪裡下車? or 你喜不喜歡畫畫兒 ?*), so most of my conversations are translated from Chinese into French (since that’s what Fanfan and I speak together). I am rarely spoken to, but spoken of, even when I’m sitting right there. This isn’t a commentary on the politesse of the Taiwanese. It’s just a fact that when someone wants to know how old I am, what I do here, what I think about stinky tofu, etc., they ask someone else.

But, I’m getting better. It seems like literally every couple of days I come home from class, and I understand more and more of what people are saying (it’s the speaking that comes too slowly). Every day has it’s little victories: taking my first taxi alone, ordering food for the first time, asking directions — and understanding the response — etc.

So, how could someone with, comparatively, so little intimate knowledge of what’s happening around him be of any aid to an ex-pat of five, ten, twenty years who speaks perfect Chinese? For one, I’m younger. Things have changed, I presume, since many of you got here, but some things may have done so so gradually that there were certain things you missed. The people I spend my time with are likely from a different generation than you. This is not to say that I’m going to show you how you’re wrong about something, rather I want to add texture or perspective to your views.

Also, it’s important to remember what it’s like trying to grasp all of this. Not just a different culture and a different language, but all the mess that comes along with it: politics, history, nuance.

I hope y’all’ll** take the time to read this and tell me what you think. I don't know when the first one will appear, but I'm generally trying to revamp this site. I will be spending more time writing, which means less posts on a daily basis (at least as long as I'm working and studying at the same time). For the last month or so, I've just been linking to interesting stories, without much input of my own. I'm going to try to limit those kinds of posts to a minimum and opt for bulkier, more meaningful posts posts.

That is, of course, if my studies and work permit.

*Of course I know the 兒 isn’t used in Taiwan very much (I almost said "not at all" but I heard a lady on the television last night say "一塊兒" instead of "一起"). Anyone who has used the book we use at TaiDa (which a lot of schools use, from what I understand) knows what I’m talking about.

** Yes, that's proper English where I come from.