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Serving
Students at
Santa Ana
College and
Santiago
Canyon College
TAIWAN
Culture
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Cultural
Orientation
The Republic
of China (or Taiwan) essentially is a nation state. Originally many
of its Chinese inhabitants who are now Taiwanese are from China.
Hence, you may assume many customs and traditions in Taiwan are similar
to those of China. However, Taiwan's culture is a blend of its distinctive
Chinese heritage and Western influences. Fine arts, folk traditions,
and popular culture embody traditional and modern, Asian, and Western motifs.
Confucianism
has a great influence on Chinese society. It generates a rigid
ethical and moral system that governs all relationships. Important
issues to be aware of include observing hierarchy, respecting the elderly,
modesty, and reciprocating gestures of goodwill.
Family
The family
is the most important unit of social organization, and life is an organization
of obligations to relationships. There is a strong feeling of interdependence
among members of the family, group, or organization. The Taiwanese
are highly ethnocentric with a natural feeling of superiority and confidence
in their political system. This gives them a feeling of national
and personal security. One must work for harmony in the group, so
emotional restraint is prized and aggressive behavior is frowned upon.
Decisions
are made by consensus of the group; those who have the most influence,
usually the oldest members, assume a leadership role. Individuals
of a family, group, or organization are
expected
to bring honor to that entity. Individuals must also be very careful
not to cause someone else to lose face. There is a strong authorative
structure that demands impartiality and obedience.
Though
the Taiwanese traditionally base their decisions on how they feel about
the issues filtered through the ideologies of nationalism, they are moving
toward the use of more and more facts to justify their decisions. The degree
of faith in astrology and fortune telling varies among Chinese communities
in Asia; however, the customs continue in Taiwan and Hong Kong, where people
frequently consult fortune tellers before making important decisions.
There
is some bias against native Taiwanese. Taiwan is still a male-dominated
society with clearly differentiated sex roles, however, currently there
is a strong women’s movement.
Gifts
Gift giving
is often practiced within a business setting. Appropriate gifts for
a first trip include items with small company logos on them, not manufactured
in Taiwan. Other popular gifts to business people include imported
liquor, gold pens, and magazine subscriptions. When giving flowers
as gift, give an even number of flowers. A gift of money in a red
envelope, called a hong bao, is given at Chinese New Year to children and
to the service personnel you deal with on a regular basis. Give only
new bills in even numbers and even amounts. It is customary to reciprocate
a gift with one of similar value.
When giving
or receiving a gift, use both hands. The gift is not opened in the
presence of the giver.
Chinese
traditionally decline a gift three times before accepting. Continue
to insist; once they accept the gift, say that you are pleased that they
have done so.
Chinese
always appreciates gifts of food, but to bring food to a social event is
not appropriate. Instead, send food as a thank you gift afterwards
such as coffee, candy, or fruit.
Do not
give the following as gifts: cutting tools, straw sandals, clocks,
storks or cranes, handkerchiefs, gifts or wrapping paper where the predominant
color is white, black, or blue-red (pink and yellow are happy, prosperous
colors).
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Links
to More Information
ExecutivePlanet.com
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Profile
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