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Foreigners > Living in Taiwan : Chinese Culture

Ceremonies of Life

*Birth

A child is considered one year old at birth and another year is added at each Chinese New Yea. A baby's first-month celebration is a most important occasion and the baby's parents traditionally give family and friends red-stained, hard-boiled eggs in celebration. A newer tradition is giving especially prepared rice cakes to announce  the birth and to celebrate. For a special gift, the Chinese often give a small piece of 24-karat gold baby jewelry. Money is also a traditional gift and should be an even amount (NT$800 or NT$1,000). The money should be put in a plain red envelope and placed beside the baby's pillow. Baby gifts should be given during the first month and never before the birth of the baby. Sending a nice flower arrangement to the mother wile she is in the hospital is an appropriate gesture.

*Wedding

Wedding celebrations are usually held in a restaurant or hotel and female guests should wear something bright and colorful to give face to their hosts. Men should wear a jacket and tie. It is polite to arrive on time, or at most, a few minutes later than the time shown on the invitation. By tradition, a guest who arrives to early is considered greedy. Guest should leave as soon as the meal is finished and the last drink has been taken.

Because weddings are scheduled on auspicious days, it is conceivable that you could be invited to more than one wedding on the same evening. If so, plan to arrive at the most important one last and stay. You can ask someone to save you a place at his or her table. Go to the other wedding, give your money, speak to the bride and groom and let them introduce you to the others at their table.

Although sometimes gifts other than money are given at wedding, money is still the accepted custom. Generally, the families of the couple have given them everything they will need for their new home. The amount of money you give, always even, will depend on factors such as relationship and where the wedding is being held. Place the money in a red envelope with the double happiness symbol and present it at the reception table upon your arrival at the wedding. Be sure to see that your name and the amount of the gifts are recorded.

* Funeral

Chinese religion is a mixture of Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian beliefs. There is a strong belief in reincarnation and the afterlife and ancestor worship is of great importance. If you are invited to attend a funeral service, it is appropriate to wear dark colors or white, to maintain a low profile and to show respect to the family of the deceased. At most funeral, there is a table at the entrance where money gifts for the family are received and recorded. The money should be an even amount, NT$900 or NT$1,100, depending upon your relationship to the deceased or the family and should be placed in a plain white envelope. Guests are usually given a flower to wear and a small, boxed towel or handkerchief

The Chinese Language

Once your ears have adjusted to the cacophonous traffic and the reverberating techno vibes at your favorite lounge you may begin to notice that numerous languages, dialects, and hybrids are spoken by the locals. The official language on this island is Mandarin Chinese. This is also the official language of mainland China, though it is sometimes spoken with such as strong Taiwanese accent that it sounds quite different from the Chinese you may hear in Guangzhou or Beijing. Mandarin Chinese is taught in schools, but many people speak Taiwanese at home or among friends, especially many of the older people who prefer to communicate Taiwanese.

  The Taiwanese dialect is also called the Minnan language, as it originated in Fujian province, Mainland China, where the Min River is located. It is a spoken language and does not have written characters of its own but shares most of the same characters with Mandarin Chinese. There are four tones in spoken Mandarin Chinese, whereas there are eight tones in Taiwanese to the older generation but Mandarin to their peers. The higher north you go, the more you will find that Mandarin is the predominant language.

  Older generations educated during Japanese rule will speak Japanese as well. The Hakka minority also speak of their own. Each aboriginal tribe has a language of its own, some similar to Tagalog (spoken in the Philippines & Pacific Island areas) as their histories stretch south into the Philippines. Hakka dialect and aboriginal languages are more likely heard in distinct cultural pockets on the island.

  Nowadays, student are taught English in elementary school or even at a younger age in cram schools. English is required from junior high school and onward. While the students are very good at reciting grammar rules, they may not feel at ease with speaking English. This may be changed with the plethora of English radio programs, TV programs, government tests, and magazines that try to coax the language out of the classroom. You will often be able to communicate in basic English with students, recent graduates, and office workers by speaking slowly (not more loudly) and incorporating some writing

  Most people are enthusiastic about helping a foreigner but are afraid their English is not good enough – and making mistakes s looked upon as losing face in the Chinese culture. In hospital or in the business world, you may find fluent English speakers. A lot of doctors and business people studied or were educated abroad on a high English language level. But in the little junk shops, on the street or in the market you can barely communicate in English, so some basic Chinese is necessary.