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.