Your DSP Relcoations Asia Office in Taiwan

DSP Relocations Taiwan
4F-4, # 165 Ming Sheng East Rd., Sec. 5 Taipei 105, Taiwan.

Tel        : +886 2 2762 2500
Fax       : +886 2 2761 2378
E-mail  : james.chiou@dsprelocations.com
Local time :
TAIWAN - FACTS AND FIGURES
Capital : Taipei
Location : Eastern Asia, islands bordering the East China Sea, Philippine Sea, South China Sea, and Taiwan Straight, north of the Philippines, off the southeastern coast of China
Total Area : 35,980 sq km
Climate : Tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); cloudiness is persistent and extensive all year
Population : 23,113,901 (July 2012 – estimated); Taiwanese (including Hakka) 84%, mainland Chinese 14%, indigenous 2%
Government Type : Multiparty Democracy
Official Languages : Mandarin Chinese (official), Taiwanese (min), Hakka dialects
Religions : Mixture of Buddhist and Taoist 93%, Christian 4.5%, Other 2.5%
Currency : New Taiwan Dollar (TWD)
Country Code : +886
GENERAL
Taiwan, also known as the Republic of China (ROC) has the second highest population density in the world and the country is unfortunately prone to frequent earth tremors and occasional earthquakes.

Taiwan’s rapid economic growth in the decades after World War II has transformed it into an industrialised developed country. This economic rise is known as the ‘Taiwan Miracle’. Today, Taiwan it is a major producer of high technology electronic goods.

Since 1949, Taiwan has maintained a separate identity from China, and for this reason relationships between the two are strained.
LOCAL CUSTOMS & ETIQUETTE
SPECIAL BELIEFS
Visitors to Taiwan should be aware of the following special beliefs :
  • The number ‘four’ is considered unlucky, ass it is associated with death (the Mandarin pronunciation of ‘four’ and ‘death’ are nearly identical). Some Chinese will not take a flight or get married on the fourth of the month.
  • The number ‘eight’ or any combination of eight (such as 8888) is considered lucky, as in Chinese ‘eight’ sounds like the word ‘prosperity’. It is beneficial to quote prices that include the digit eight.
  • The numbers ‘three’ (life) and ‘nine’ (eternity) are also considered auspicious.
  • The colours red (prosperity) and yellow (gold, wealth) are good colours. Green is also acceptable, signifying longevity. Dark purple, white and black are not acceptable colours.
  • Elements of nature, including creatures, have significant meaning :

    • -  Flowing water implies that money will flow into a business, which is why many Chinese businesses have a water    feature at their entrance.
    -  A dragon implies great strength and power.
    -  Tortoise symbolise long life.
    -  Fish are a sign of prosperity, which is why Chinese often have fish tanks either at home or in the office. A gift    depicting a fish will be well received.
    -  A pair of lions may often be seen guarding the door of a Chinese enterprise - this is to keep evil spirits at bay.
When interacting with Taiwanese people, don’t :
  • Bite your fingernails in public.
  • Beckon with your index finger.
  • Write crosses next to people’s names or their pictures; a cross or the letter ‘x’ has connotations with death.
  • Write a person’s name in red ink; this signifies that they are due to die.
  • Wink at a person.
  • Show irritation at pushing and shoving in shops, buses and trains – such acts are not considered impolite.
  • Present items such as name cards, gifts, cash notes and credit cards using only one hand; this should rather be done with both hands.
  • Take offence at excessive curiosity about your personal background, and being studied closely in public.
  • Do not wear your shoes into the house. Remove shoes before entering the house and change to indoor slippers.(Same custom as Japanese and Koreans).
  • Do not wear your shoes into the house. Remove shoes before entering the house and change to indoor slippers. (Same custom as Japanese and Koreans)
  • Do not let Chinese “lose face” (丢脸 dui lian). Face stands for dignity, reputation, social status and integrity. Relationships are closely connected to the matter of face, giving present is a way to gain face whether it is in business or in personal relationships; present-giving is an essential etiquette. They can offer face to others (赏脸 shang lian) when they go out of their way to do someone a favour; they can leave face for others (留面子 liu mian zi) by not offending or going against someone directly; they can earn face (争面子 zheng mian zi) by doing something honourable or difficult if you are in a good relationship with the Chinese
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