When Cultures Collide – Indian Expat working as a Corporate Executive in Taiwan

Working in the corporate world in Taiwan is one of the opportunities that most Indian nationals have been taking advantage of.  In the recent years, these nationals have joined the workforce in different Asian countries such as Singapore. They have reached the ladder of success in their respective industries and now have come to Taiwan to impart their knowledge and expertise.

When people of different nationalities choose to temporarily work in another country, it is natural to expect some cultural differences.  Food is one of the things that differ from one culture to another.  Indians and Taiwanese people have different palates.  As the Indian expat slowly tries to get used to the local cuisine, he is not without any options to choose from as Taiwan has a selection of restaurants serving international and fusion cuisines.  The only problem here is that with the fusion of Asian cuisine with that of the Mediterranean, Indian food may lose its spiciness and their curry flavor.

The best way to save up on dining at posh restaurants on a daily basis is to be able to book a dormitory that has a kitchen. Most apartments for lease may be exorbitantly priced. However, the freedom to cook indoors at one’s own time is nothing but a relief.

There happens to be specialty stores scattered around that offers spices and other ingredients such as turmeric powder and even the right kind of grains. It used to be a worry that the food that is offered in various restaurants are only limited to Western dishes and authentic Taiwanese food.

One thing to be careful about in Taiwan is their potable water. It is advisable to order bottled water instead of drinking it from the tap. There are numerous cases of stomach problems since their drinking water is not a hundred percent suited for drinking. Even if they were, it cannot be helped that Indian expats who arrive in Taiwan are more accustomed to their country’s water supply and could be sensitive to the water in their new location.

Another important thing to remember when living and working in Taiwan is to always keep track of time.  Being late is frowned upon in this location.  An executive must always keep track of time and never be late.  This not only applies to get to work or any other destination at the appointed time.  Being on time is also applied to settling payments and observing deadlines.

For foreign nationals who wish to get a permanent Taiwanese visa, there are certain requirements that need to be met.  They should adhere to all the laws and by-laws of the city. Being an expat does not give anyone the right to be exempt from any rule. Spending time in the outskirts of Taiwan will show Indian expats and other foreign nationals the meaning of respect among people no matter what their positions are in life. Taiwan has indeed embraced the idea of one’s life status in order to gain respect but if they are treated badly, no amount of money or flashy cars can appease them.

A German Expat’s Cost of Food and Drinks in Taiwan

Most of the corporate executives who are working as expats in Taiwan might be troubled about how to make ends meet. Unknown to many, even though a hefty sum is given to them as salary, their daily to monthly expenses can weigh them down financially. Germans are associated with good food and good beverage.  Taiwan is known for their own tastes but their flavors are hardly similar to those of German fare.

When in Taiwan, Do What the Taiwanese Do
There is a saying that for a foreigner to adjust to a new country, he needs to adapt their culture and way of living.  Food is no different.  While Euros and American Dollars can purchase several food items for German expats, the fact still remains that the cost of food in Taiwan is higher.  This is a place where home cooked food is preferred to restaurant food.  Serving food prepared the slow-cooked way is the way to go in Taiwan.  Drinking and dining out can put a dent on the expat’s budget.  This may be the time to drink tea at home instead of drinking alcohol at a bar to save the money.

German expats in Taiwan would have to take note of the following concerns as they leave their home country to work across the globe in Asia:

Gold and Standard Ale vs. The Lesser Spirits

Germans are beer drinkers by nature – the entire world is thankful for their exceptional brews and draft beer. Germany is famous for its Oktoberfest where millions of beer lovers across the globe party and chug down volumes of different beer brands. However, an unfortunate truth prevails in Taiwan: beer is very expensive.

Corporate executives who need to unwind after a hard day’s work would look for their beverage of choice.  Most German expats will wince at the thought of just one serving of beer before they call it a night. There are convenience stores that sell beer that costs around 1.8 USD. Cost implications with force German expats to settle for cheap beer at an eyebrow-raising price. When taste cannot be compensated, most Germans head to pubs or restaurants and concede to the high prices.  For a 660ml bottle of beer in Taiwanese restaurants, expect to burn 6.63 USD.  The normal six to ten bottles of beer will quench a German expat’s thirst for their beloved brew, but it will dry out his wallet.

On Schnitzels and Pretzels

Food from an Asian country is a far cry from those served in patisseries and boulangeries found in Germany. Expats who yearn to have a taste of the beer and bread in their homeland will be a little disappointed.  They will have to fork over as much as 59NT for a loaf of bread.  Converted into western currencies, this is around 2 USD or 1.53 Euro.  Compared to airy European breads, Asian bread is heavy and dense.  Oftentimes, they are filled with either a meat filling or a sweet filling.

As a corporate executive, fine dining will cost a lot.  Taiwanese restaurants offer more expensive meals. On an average meal, an expat will have to shell out 200NT.  For most German expats splurging more of their New Taiwan Dollars for their midday meals is preferable.