in the major hotels people speak english. i would just get concierge to write you something in chinese to give to cabs. ive never been on a bus before there. I just took cabs..very cheap.
Can you or someone tell me what differences there are between Taiwanese people and people from mainland China in general? Do they speak Mandarin in a different dialect? Can people from the mainland understand Taiwanese people speaking Mandarin? Are the same television programs and movies watched by people from both countries? Same foods and holidays, etc..? Do Taiwanese people like Yao to the same extent of people from the mainland? Sorry if these questions are ignorant, but I really don't know much about China and Taiwan. But I am interested in learning.
Where did you get that thought from? You cant ban a language especiall everybody is using it and dont know other languages. Maybe they should ban it and start using sign language.
Sigapore, yeah, its offical language is English. Taiwan, huh. English is Japan's 2nd common language too. Miluka is how they prounce "milk"
Of course, I've spent a lot of time with suppliers there. Hsin Chu is home to a ton of ODM peripheral manufacturers as well as a ton of foundaries, the biggest of which is TSMC. Not sure how you're planning on getting around, but you're completely insane if you're going to drive yourself in Taiwan. Hsinchu is like a 1.5 hour drive from Taipei. My advice is either stay in Hsinchu, or hire a driver to take you to and from there.
Taiwan's official language is Mandarin. A lot of the Taiwan you see today is the result of martial law 60 years ago when a couple million of Chang Kai Shek's followers sailed to Taiwan after his defeat by the Communists. They pretty much set up shop at gunpoint and oppressed the people originally living there. For 50 years, the Taiwanese dialect was forbidden to be taught in school, and the native culture was frowned upon. On one hand, they did a damn good job considering that the civil war never really ended on either sides' hearts, and after Nixon, Taiwan had to figure out means to back up their unofficial currency. But there's a lot of resentment between the "foreigners" and the natives. There still is even after more than decade of open media and elections. You can kind of use that demographic to gauge the 50/50 split on reunification, but now it's more about business interests and Taiwan's long term sustainability versus keeping its nascent independence and cultural pride. From the exodus, a lot of food and culture arrived to Taiwan. Some of the best chefs from different Chinese regions ended up in Taiwan, but it's probably changed a bit after time. There are some signature foods that come from Taiwan, such as stinky tofu or oyster soup with thin noodles. You can now mostly find Chinese foods of any region in restaurants, though a mainland Chinese will tell you the food in China tastes better. As for the culture, Chang's army took a lot of treasure from China's museums, which is why the Chiang Kai Shek museum is world renowned. They rotate their loot every 4-5 years. I'm sure other Chinese members can fill you in on the differences of traditions. There are some mainland Chinese produced historical dramas, but a lot of Taiwanese are loving Korean soaps (translated) right now. Movies are usually from here or Hong Kong with an occasional Korean or Japanese hit. I don't know if Taiwanese game shows or late night variety programs are aired on the mainland. As for speaking Mandarin in a different dialect, Taiwanese have a different Mandarin accent than Mainland Chinese. Like Californian to a Texan. Taiwan isn't alien to China. The best comparison I liken to them would be Germany and Austria. That's my view on it. I'm sure there are others to fill in gaps or correct me altogether.
Taiwanese girls are hot, and as one poster said above, make sure you get a specialized massage For the guy who says the day of "unification" is soon to come, please save your political slogan/nonsense for another day. China should take care of her own myriad internal problems first before taking trash to Taiwan.
To Invisible Fan, Taiwanese game shows and variety programs are not aired in China but are available through the internet and followed eagerly by millions in China. Huge celebrities like ZongXian Wu, Xiao S, etc. are household names in China as well. Many Chinese shows are also explicitly imitating Taiwanese shows. Culturally I would say Taiwan is also hugely under the influence of Japan, partly due to its 50 years of occupation under Japanese rule before the end of WWII.
^They air that Wheel of Fortune MahJong game here in SoCal. All I can say is that black people aren't the only ones who yell at the screen... As for the Japan bit, yeah I have a grandmother and had an uncle who were indoctrinated, but the people my age that I've frequented with don't really want anything to do with Japan, other than their cool products and gadgets. I would say commercialized American mainstream culture would be the bigger influence.
maybe you should save your insights/expertise on whoring to yourself, its not something to be proud of.
Once you're there, be sure to check out Meteor Garden. One of the best shows they had to offer. It's a comedy/drama long series. You'll get addicted.
Lol, talking about self-righteous moralists and false accusations. Okay, you save your political agenda, and I save ... my recommendation on special massages
Oh no! you are talking about the series with the F4 dudes? I have to say we have very different tastes. (or maybe ages )
You might contact the Chinese Cultural Center about finding a guide and recommendations. Chinese Culture Center - Houston 10303 Westoffice Dr Houston, TX 77042-5306 Phone: (713) 789-4995 There are helpful people there. I was just at a ballroom dance show there this past weekend. It was called the Haihwa dance festival. You guys might enjoy the pictures. The photographer did a great job. Yes, there are some beautiful women : http://www.pbase.com/songunlimited/haihwa_2007
