台灣人很保守嗎? Are Taiwanese Conservative?
Taiwanese always give people the impression that they are conservative because they claim to follow Chinese traditional culture. But nowadays, influenced by western culture, Taiwanese are beginning to challenge the tradition and explore their lives as well as the world.
If you walk on the streets of Taipei, you would think there is no difference between Taipei and any big city in the world. Girls wear hot outfits and cosmetics, not to mention colorful nails and stylish haircuts. Teenage girls put on name-brand clothes and go to the theater or go shopping with their friends. They no longer worry about the teachings of their parents: girls must wear modest clothes and can’t go out into the public. The atmosphere within the family these days is also open and positive. Parents are allowing more freedom for their children in spending their allowances or deciding on their appearances.
In businesses or in school, Taiwanese are adapting to the changes brought on by globalization. Employees eagerly seek opportunities for further studies or training abroad, supported by their own companies. More people are willing to take jobs with foreign companies so that they could be transferred to overseas branches. In addition, most university students are preparing themselves to study abroad; some of them are already applying for exchange student programs. Students no longer wish to stay on the island all their lives; they believe overseas experience is a necessity. Also, Taiwanese people begin to value traveling, both in Taiwan and aboard, as a fashionable activity. Seeing the world with their own eyes, not through books or the TV camera, has become a popular goal. Apparently, people no longer follow the old saying: “never leave home when your parents are still alive.”
In short, as the world opens to every possibility, Taiwanese are by no means left behind. They welcome the new trend and always move to catch up with it.
Taiwanese always give people the impression that they are conservative because they claim to follow Chinese traditional culture. But nowadays, influenced by western culture, Taiwanese are beginning to challenge the tradition and explore their lives as well as the world.
If you walk on the streets of Taipei, you would think there is no difference between Taipei and any big city in the world. Girls wear hot outfits and cosmetics, not to mention colorful nails and stylish haircuts. Teenage girls put on name-brand clothes and go to the theater or go shopping with their friends. They no longer worry about the teachings of their parents: girls must wear modest clothes and can’t go out into the public. The atmosphere within the family these days is also open and positive. Parents are allowing more freedom for their children in spending their allowances or deciding on their appearances.
In businesses or in school, Taiwanese are adapting to the changes brought on by globalization. Employees eagerly seek opportunities for further studies or training abroad, supported by their own companies. More people are willing to take jobs with foreign companies so that they could be transferred to overseas branches. In addition, most university students are preparing themselves to study abroad; some of them are already applying for exchange student programs. Students no longer wish to stay on the island all their lives; they believe overseas experience is a necessity. Also, Taiwanese people begin to value traveling, both in Taiwan and aboard, as a fashionable activity. Seeing the world with their own eyes, not through books or the TV camera, has become a popular goal. Apparently, people no longer follow the old saying: “never leave home when your parents are still alive.”
In short, as the world opens to every possibility, Taiwanese are by no means left behind. They welcome the new trend and always move to catch up with it.