The Do’s and Don’ts in Taiwan
Chiang Kai-Shek in Taipei City
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I’ll be sharing some important do’s and don’ts for people visiting Taiwan.
I’ve compiled a list of things that are considered disrespectful in Taiwan, what you should be mindful of, what’s considered rude, and some etiquette guides, along with travel tips to help you navigate through Taiwan seamlessly.
When you’re in another country, it's important to respect the customs and beliefs of the locals.
This guide is to help you feel comfortable and understand the culture without feeling like a clueless tourist.
Let's get started!
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the do’s
DO PURCHASE A SIM
Stay connected with an eSIM from Airalo for easy internet access and navigation. Airalo has a variety of eSIMs available depending on your preference and price range. You can also purchase a SIM card at the Taoyuan Airport (TPE) if you have an unlocked phone.
EasyCard cute Esther Bunny edition
The first thing you should do when you visit Taiwan is get an EasyCard!
This handy card is your golden ticket to getting anywhere. Use it for MRT, YouBikes, buses, and even some stores.
DO EXPLORE BEYOND TAIPEI
While Taipei City is literally the hub for international tourists and locals alike, try to explore outside of Taipei City to experience the best of Taiwan.
You can visit spots like Taichung, Tainan, Kaoshiung, Chiayi, Alishan, Nantou, Sun Moon Lake, and so much more!
DO OFFER YOUR SEAT
Show respect for the elderly, pregnant women, and people with disabilities by offering your seat on public transportation.
In Taiwan’s public transportation, they will have signs showing that specific seats are for priority passengers with disabilities. These seats are also a different color than the regular seats.
DO GREET WHEN ENTERING ANY SMALL BUSINESS
Say "nǐhǎo" (你好) for a formal greeting to elders or people who are older than you, or "hālōu" (哈囉) for a more casual one to younger Taiwanese or people who are the same generation as you.
DO EXPERIENCE LOCAL TAIWANESE CUISINES
Most small businesses don’t show up on Google Maps or Yelp, so the best way to find the best spots is to see when there’s a long line of people waiting to get food, that means THAT is the best local spot that Taiwanese people have been raving about.
Liu Shao Qing in Taichung
DO COMPLIMENT THE FOOD
Owners LOVE to hear if you enjoy the food they made. It makes them super happy and proud that they are praised for what they love to do!
DO KEEP YOUR BELONGINGS SAFE
While crimes aren’t high in Taiwan, petty theft is still a very common thing throughout Taiwan, especially in busy cities.
When heading into a crowded spot like night markets or local food markets, keep your belongings close.
Keep your wallet and your cell phone in your front pocket and keep your bags in the front close to your body so you don’t avoid getting your things stolen.
DO REMOVE OUTDOOR SHOES WHEN HEADING INDOORS
Respect the custom of taking off your shoes before entering someone's home.
Shoes do not belong inside the home. It’s considered dirty with a lot of outside bacteria.
When you take off your shoes, normally the homeowner will offer you slippers that you can wear when you’re inside to avoid accumulating dust or dirt on your feet or socks.
Your outdoor shoes can be placed inside the shoe cabinet or outside the front door. If it’s outside, don’t worry, no one will take your shoes.
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the don’ts
DON’T WALK ON THE WRONG SIDE
Stay on the right when you’re walking on the street.
This goes for when you’re going down the stairs in MRT stations, stay on the right side. Let the people who are coming up the stairs stay on the left.
Also for entering a store or restaurant when others are coming out.
MRT (Mass Rapid Transit)
DON’T BLOCK THE ENTRANCE OF MRT STATIONS
When waiting for the train, stand behind the lines on the platform.
Allow all passengers to exit the train before you board.
When entering the MRT trains, make sure not to block the entrance. Move towards the seats or handrails. And remember, no cutting in line.
DON’T TALK TOO LOUD IN PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Keep your voice down on public transportation to avoid disturbing others. This goes for HSR, MRT, or when riding the bus in Taiwan.
DON’T EAT OR DRINK INSIDE ANY MRT STATION
Whether you're inside the station or riding the train, do NOT eat, drink, or chew gum. Doing so can result in a heavy fine. This rule applies to all food and beverages, including water. The only exception is for seniors who need to take medication. Please do not consume anything while on the MRT.
DON’T CUT IN LINE
Cutting in line is considered extremely rude and disrespectful. Be patient and wait your turn.
DON’T SNAP YOUR FINGERS
Don’t snap your fingers to get a person’s attention. Instead of snapping, politely call out to someone to get their attention.
DON’T WASTE FOOD
Try not to order more than you can eat. If you can't finish it, ask for a takeout box if it's an option, or just be more mindful about how much you order next time. Wasting food in Taiwan is a HUGE no-no and really disrespectful to the people who made your meal.
Shanghai Kung Fu Noodles in Taichung
DON’T STICK YOUR CHOPSTICKS UPRIGHT
Make sure you lay your chopsticks on top of your rice bowl or set your chopsticks resting on a plate.
When you stick your chopsticks upright in your bowl, it’s saying that you allow the spirits to come and eat your food.
DON’T TIP
After eating, unless they say tipping is allowed, tipping is considered rude and may make people feel that you think of them as low or poor.
Some restaurants automatically add a 10% gratuity fee in some places when you’re dining with a big group of people, so you don’t have to worry about tipping.
The only tipping that’s accepted is when a cleaner comes and cleans your unmade hotel room. You can leave whatever tip you desire on top of your unmade pillow for the person who cleans your room.
DON’T HUG PEOPLE WHO YOU ARE UNFAMILIAR WITH
Hugs are reserved for close friends and family.
DON’T LEAVE YOUR UMBRELLA UNINTENDED
Your umbrella might get stolen when you leave your umbrella unintended — especially when it’s raining outside. Use the plastic umbrella wrap provided by the store or restaurant, wrap your umbrella to avoid the raindrops dripping on the ground, and bring it along with you.
DON’T FREAK OUT DURING EARTHQUAKE OR TYPHOON SEASON
Earthquakes and typhoons occur quite frequently in Taiwan.
Typhoons typically occur during the summer, while earthquakes occur from fall to winter.
Generally, when you're in the city — which is mostly on the west side — you experience fewer earthquakes and typhoons than what is depicted on TV.
The east side of Taiwan may be more concerning, but the risk of getting hurt is not as high.
DON’T HONK (especially in Taichung)
Avoid honking while driving, especially in Taichung. While it's common in other countries, honking can be risky in Taiwan. Taichung, in particular, has a reputation for gang activity.
There have been reports of gang members exiting their vehicles and engaging in violent behavior, such as using weapons like bats and smashing cars that honked at them.
Although Taichung remains a relatively safe city, it's best to exercise caution and avoid provoking any potential threats.
DON’T TALK ABOUT POLITICS
Topics related to Taiwan and China can be extremely sensitive. It doesn’t matter who you’re with, don’t ever talk to people about the relations between Taiwan and China — UNLESS you’re super close to the person. People can get offended because it’s a sensitive topic.
DON’T TALK ABOUT DEATH OR THE NUMBER 4
The number 4 in Chinese is sì (四), which sounds very similar to the word for death in Chinese, which is sǐ (死).
This similarity is especially significant in hospitals, where there is a superstition that talking about death or writing the number four or having it present may be seen as cursing someone to die.
This belief is also the reason why many older buildings do not have a fourth floor.
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final thoughts
This may cover some key points and tips for tourists in Taiwan, but there is still so much more etiquette to learn.
When you're in Taiwan, try to embrace the local culture and engage with locals to gain a deeper understanding of Taiwan.
I hope my article has helped clarify some Taiwanese etiquette!
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check out my Taiwan travel vlog
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