Taiwan

Greetings

Man greeting Man –Men will shake hands when greeting and departing, sometimes accompanied by a nod of the head. At first meeting a nod of the head alone will usually suffice.

Woman greeting Woman- Most women will nod to one another, handshakes are not as common.

Man greeting Woman- At a first meeting a nod will do. In business settings a handshake is common.

Personal Space & Touch

• Taiwanese are comfortable standing at less than arms lengths from one another. One and half to two feet is normal. When meeting strangers this distance is farther.
• In conversation, there is some touching between men and men, and women and women but minimal to no casual contact between opposite sexes.

Eye Contact

• Taiwanese tend to favor direct eye contact over indirect. However, they usually use indirect eye contact when speaking with their elders or superiors as a sign of respect and deference.

Gestures

• Waving your hand back and forth in front of your face with the palm outwards means "I don't know" or "no".
• Take your shoes off when entering a Taiwanese home and some hotel rooms.
• People beckon one another by extending an arm and making a scratching motion with their fingers.

Views of Time

• Taiwanese place a great deal of emphasis on adhering to schedules and deadlines. They value and expect punctuality and diligence.
• The bus, train, and plane schedules are almost always on time and showing up to a social function the time it is called for is the norm.

Gender Roles

• Women are becoming more and more equal in Taiwan, holding various positions of power in business and government.

Taboos

• Using your feet to move something or putting one’s feet on the furniture is considered extremely rude.
• Winking, and putting your arms around someone’s shoulder is very bad form.
• Avoid touching the top of anyone’s head, especially children.
• Beckoning or pointing with the index finger is considered bad form. Using your whole hand, palm flat, is the way to go
• Being loud and rowdy in public is to be avoided.

Law & Order

• The legal drinking age in is 18 and is enforced.
• Penalties for possession, acquisition, and trafficking of drugs include heavy fines and/or mandatory imprisonment in local jails.

Dress

• Dress is quite stylish yet conservative for both men and women. Being well groomed is imperative.

• For men: dark to medium colored suits with shirts and ties.
• For women: conservative business suits or dresses and blouses are appropriate. Avoid tight fitting and sleeveless attire.
• Jeans and business casual attire are not recommended at a first meeting.

Titles & Business Cards

• Titles are very important and it is best to address people directly by using their professional title or Mr., Mrs., or Miss, followed by the surname.
• It is advisable to have one side of your business card translated into Mandarin and be sure to present your business card with two hands and the Mandarin side facing the recipient.
• Look at business cards you receive them (with two hands) with interest by examining them carefully. It’s best to place them in a holder or on the table in front of you and be sure to never write on or fold a business card you are given.

Meetings

• Arriving on time for a meeting is important as punctuality is highly valued.
• It is always best to defer to the most senior or elderly person in the room when it comes to beginning and guiding conversations.
• Beginning with small talk helps establish a base for the relationship, after which discussion of business matters can begin. It is best to allow your host to begin the business discussion.
• Periods of silence are considered acceptable and are to be expected. Avoid interrupting and talking over someone, if possible.

Negotiations

• Taiwanese value relationship building and harmony so avoid hard selling, pressure tactics and any sort of conflict or confrontation. Saving face is paramount.
• Be prepared to bargain and compromise, Taiwanese may come in very high or low depending on the situation.
• Taiwanese usually value an indirect communication style and will avoid using no in answering questions.

Gift Giving

• Simple gifts are not usually exchanged at a first meeting. Avoid bringing anything made in Taiwan.
• Gifts of knives, scissors, or letter openers are usually interpreted as the severing of a close bond.
• Avoid giving anything in groups of 4 or 13 as they are unlucky numbers.
• Gifts should always be nicely wrapped (avoid black and white paper) and they are not to be opened when they are received.
• Receive and give gifts with two hands. It is polite to refuse a gift several times before accepting.

In the Classroom

• Dress at most schools is casual. Students usually wear shirts, sweaters, slacks or jeans most of the time.
• Classes at most universities run from August to June.
• Most university grades are given on a 0-100 scale with 100 being the highest. The minimum passing grade is usually a 60.