A Few More Fun Facts...

a group of college students with whom I toured a peanut farm

Food
- fried chicken is eaten with chopsticks (this takes some practice, but is a lot less messy
- liquids are not served with most meals
- a very common greeting is "have you eaten?"

Health
- any slight sign of illness, from headache to a slight cough, is treated quickly; and the person wears a mask until the symptoms clear completely.
- mosquito bites are given treatment
- most treatment is healthy, as in a vitamin or a herb
- the hospital is basically a senior citizen's center, to hang-out, get a shot of vitamin C, and visit with the doctor.

General Living
- most places do have American toilets
- though we do have coins and bills like the US, there are no "cents," just dollars
- Christmas is not a holiday. People will work right through it, though some, mostly Christians, do celebrate "Jesus' birthday."
- the churches in Douliou did not decorate until the 24th
- dancing seems to be included in most Taiwanese parties, including Christmas

- gift giving is a major love language here. everyone is so friendly and tries to give us whatever they can, a bag of beans, bread, a calendar, a key chain, etc.
- culturally, gifts are NOT opened in the presence of the giver.

aboriginal dance

People
- jump rope is mostly a boy activity, though girls may do it as well
- what Americans would consider "personal questions" are normal conversation here, like "how much do you weigh?" or "how old are you?"
- a common ice-breaker that I have experienced is "will you take [a] picture [with] me?" which is asked before "what's your name?" or "where are you from?"
- colors are not gender specific. I have seen many boys wearing pink or carrying a pink bag, or girls with black backpacks or blue shoes.
- small children, (under 2) wear squeeky shoes so that parents can find them.
- people are very friendly to foreigners and will try all the English words they know. (usually "hello" "ok" and "I love you")