Mind Your Manners

Making a mistake at the dinner table, was one of my few fears upon arriving in Taiwan. Before I could make it to the table though, I broke the rule about wearing footwear in the house. In many houses wearing house sandals is a must, and in others its an option. Equipped with sandals I was ready for the table manners. Before my arrival in Taiwan, friends and family would inquire what I would eat and create scenarios at the dinner table. They would grill me with questions I didn't have answers to and give me advice which was nothing more than hunches. Looking back, I laugh at these preconceived notions. I didn't eat at a dinner table and I didn't eat with family gathered around. When I ate simultaneously with my host family it wasn't and still isn't a time to talk. My first host family dedicated this time to watching the news. A friend spoke of the initial shock she felt when her host family got up and walked away while she was still eating. If thoughts of "how rude!" or "uncivilized" are running through your head change the tune because the Taiwanese have manners of their own, it's different not wrong.

Letting loose a large belch at the dinner table is no laughing matter. It doesn't call for an apology or acknowledgment, it just is. No one stares, gawks, glances, or laughs at the action, because belching is natural. It happens and why bother hiding it or apologizing for something that is. The same rule applies for passing gas, natural as it comes. Even while writing about this subject I try to use choice words, while to someone in Taiwan this subject wouldn't be noteworthy to write about.

Finally chopsticks have become an extension of my hand, I get practice everyday three times a day and quite frankly forks and knifes feel foreign. Typically dinners include bowls of rice, and multiple dishes. While everyone has their own bowl of rice the dishes are communally shared. Sharing the different cuisine creates a family like atmosphere and builds relationships. To me it seems more logical and I know my grandmother would agree. A little bit of everything does the body good. The diet includes plenty of steamed vegetables, servings of tofu, and pork. Soup is generally served with every dinner while shrimp and steamed fish are usuals at the dinner table. The main focus is rice though. The words for breakfast, lunch, and dinner all include the word rice.

Much of Taiwan's culture is based around food. Instead of asking "how are you?", a more typical greeting is "did you eat?", or "are you full?". No matter where you walk food is available, and with an abundance of choices. Push carts and vendors litter the streets, outdoor diners are crammed next to coffee shops, with restaurants stacked on top. Convenience is of the utmost importance to the Taiwanese. "7-Elevens" "Hi-Lifes" and "FamilyMarts" are stationed at every turn. Without exaggeration, 7-Elevens are placed on opposite corners of a street and both thrive with business. In comparison to the United States prepared food is extremely cheap and can be bought in large amounts.

Spitting fish bones back onto the table is acceptable. Chewing with an open mouth isn't a problem. Munching, slurping, and loud smacking is not thought about twice. Talking with a mouthful of food is of no concern but when it comes to toothpicks strong rules apply. Never place one of those seemingly harmless teeth-cleaners behind your ear. Whenever a toothpick is in use, the free hand should be used to cover up the mouth and toothpick blocking the view from anyone else. Leaving one in your mouth is also impolite. Holding chopsticks and a teacup at the same time is impolite. The reason being that it looks bad. The same rule applies to holding chopsticks in the same hand as the rice bowl.

Overall the food and table manner culture in Taiwan has left an impression on me. I find myself thinking I wonder what new flavors this will bring instead of "lets gag this down". Truth be told, I know I will miss Taiwan food upon my return to the States. In order to prevent this inevitable event I am learning how to cook Taiwan food, so prepare your chopsticks and sharpen those table manners.

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jlpane2930@gmail.com

Taiwan 2011

The bike trip around Taiwan was worth every sore muscle. The feeling of accomplishment was incredible, and of course Rotary knows how to put on a show. This past Thursday I was invited to a dinner to celebrate our trip. With fine food and plenty of talking everyone who completed the journey was awarded a certificate and a dvd from the trip. Biking around Taiwan could not have been at a better time. The day after I finished I was able to celebrate my birthday. To celebrate my fellow exchange student friends and I went out for lunch. Instead of our usual dumplings or rice we headed over to a nice Italian restaurant. No birthday would be complete without the birthday song so my friends made sure nothing was missing. The end result was choruses of happy birthday in Korean, French, Spanish, English, Portuguese and Japanese. I couldn't have asked for anything better.

Christmas was coming but without it's usual commercialized flair. It was nice in a way. There was no extra holiday pressure or goods being pushed, but there were some decorations. I spotted some Christmas trees around and even found one in front of the Sun Yet-Sen Memorial Hall.  Soon enough Christmas eve had arrived, and our Chinese class celebrated by making dumplings, instead of sugar cookies. Despite being miles away from their homes most everyone was in high spirits. For many exchange students the midnight mass was a must, and we ended up making it work. My close friend from Mexico ended up playing Joseph and at age seventeen and is now known as Joseph throughout the church community. After mass our destination was the Rotary Exchange Student Christmas party. After we piled one too many people into a taxi our driver turns around with a big gapping smile and asks for our destination. His mouth was rotted and stained a dark orange  from the ever popular betel nut. After showing us a picture of his daughter, running a red light, and answering his phone (which was set to Lady Gaga) the taxi driver managed to get us to our destination. Eager to get to the party and away from our much to friendly driver we paid the fare and scurried away. The party was out on the mountainside in a resort. Luckily the church goers were just in time to catch a few last dances before the party was officially over. Soon enough we were sent to our rooms to sleep and of course nobody did. Eventually our "chaperons" gave in and changed the mantra from "Get in your rooms and sleep" to "Just be quiet". After our sleepless Christmas eve we were greeted with a traditional Chinese breakfast. Some peanuts, shredded dried meat, dough rolls, and spinach were set out in little dishes on the table. Although I was away from home and away from my family I wasn't sad or dragging my feet. I wouldn't consider it a bad Christmas at all and more than anything it made me appreciate my family and all of the exchange students here in Taiwan even more. New Years eve was celebrated in a similar fashion. The fireworks at Taipei 101 were especially spectacular and the best I've seen in my life. Since it is the hundredth anniversary of the Republic Of China there was special care put into the presentation. Although I must admit the firework in the shape of a dragon that wrapped itself around 101 was slightly disappointing. The real holidays for Taiwan do not start until two weeks. Chinese New Year starts in February and its the year of the rabbit so bunny merchandise is everywhere. All the while my Mandarin improves whether its in the classroom, practicing with my host family or using it our and about Taipei. My writing has improved tremendously and I am sure all of my teachers from the United States would think I'm lying if I told them people here think my Chinese characters look beautiful. In fact though I truly have come to appreciate the beauty in Chinese language which still tends to be a pain in the rear.


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jlpane2930@gmail.com

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