It's become hard to ignore, especially after a weekend field trip. I am on the receiving end of the halo effect: my perceived general aptitude is downgraded on account of my almost nonexistent language skills. However, it's not just me. I've seen friends who are more proficient get the same treatment. Generally, I think the Taiwanese have pretty low expectations for foreigners.
Here are some more memorable instances where Taiwanese reactions range from surprised to utterly incredulous:
*using chopsticks
*cooking food for myself
*using a washing machine
*building a shelf
*shooting a paintball gun
*sledding down a hill
*mending a tear in my backpack
Sometimes, I think it's cute. Other times, I furrow my brows.
Showing posts with label Transition Abroad. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Transition Abroad. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
One Month
Today marks one month, but I still feel more transient than resident.
On a macro level, I've been incredibly systematic. Step one was job searching, then interviews, then deciding which job to accept. Then, I accepted a job and moved into a permanent apartment. Roots planted? Check.
However, on a micro level, there are still voids both materially and otherwise.
For example, I'm writing this post not from my living room but instead leaned over my balcony, the only spot I can pirate a bar of precious unencrypted wireless. My apartment is still a work in progress. Shopping is still an adventure, as is getting food. I don't have a go-to list of my favorite places for x, y, and z like in Minneapolis.
Also, if you asked, "Tim, what is your schedule like?" I couldn't really tell you because my schedule is still peppered with transitional stuff. Aside from work, I don't have a routine but really want one. That's not meant be taken ad absurdum or romanticized: "Tim, traveling is all about spontaneity bla bla bla embrace bla bla." No. I'm not traveling abroad. I'm living abroad. It's a different concept.
That also explains why my transition has been pretty uneventful. I want to be settled in before I start my kick-ass weekend adventures. I'm plenty spontaneous but more pragmatic, I guess. I think settled in means the following:
On a macro level, I've been incredibly systematic. Step one was job searching, then interviews, then deciding which job to accept. Then, I accepted a job and moved into a permanent apartment. Roots planted? Check.
However, on a micro level, there are still voids both materially and otherwise.
For example, I'm writing this post not from my living room but instead leaned over my balcony, the only spot I can pirate a bar of precious unencrypted wireless. My apartment is still a work in progress. Shopping is still an adventure, as is getting food. I don't have a go-to list of my favorite places for x, y, and z like in Minneapolis.
Also, if you asked, "Tim, what is your schedule like?" I couldn't really tell you because my schedule is still peppered with transitional stuff. Aside from work, I don't have a routine but really want one. That's not meant be taken ad absurdum or romanticized: "Tim, traveling is all about spontaneity bla bla bla embrace bla bla." No. I'm not traveling abroad. I'm living abroad. It's a different concept.
That also explains why my transition has been pretty uneventful. I want to be settled in before I start my kick-ass weekend adventures. I'm plenty spontaneous but more pragmatic, I guess. I think settled in means the following:
- I feel my apartment is adequate.
- I have an ARC.
- I have my "regular" venues.
- My Monday-Friday has some structure.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
When Pointing Fails...
This is about the time I tried to buy a cell phone and failed. Usually, some creative gesturing, a word or phrase, and, of course, patience get me things. Not this time. So, it marks a first: feeling helpless.
In Taiwan, a work permit or long-term visa is necessary to buy a scooter, get internet, or have a monthly cell phone plan. However, my go-to guy, the hostel owner, said it was possible to buy a pay-as-you-go phone without either.
Start time : 9:50am.
I walked to the nearest Carrefour. Carrefour is the Walmart of South America, Asia, and Europe. Here, Carrefour sells everything ranging from produce to motorized scooters. In the electronics section, I pointed to a phone. Hurray, the phone was taken out of the display case and ready for purchase. Next step, I pointed to a phone card to buy minutes. Nothing. Little more gesturing: card plus phone, card and phone connecting, card and phone dancing. "Phone no work," said store clerk. I nodded my head and pointed to the card again. Nope, no card, just a head shake for no. Maybe this phone was only available with a plan. I didn't know and didn't want to buy a useless phone. I decided to go back to the hostel and research more.
I walked back to where I entered the store. Wrong; the entrance and exit are not juxtaposed or even close to each other. In order to exit, I had to walk through the entire store and three floors. I did, however, find a clerk who asked what I needed in Engrish. "Nothing," I said, "I tried to buy a phone, but wasn't able to." Next, the process repeated with more people around. I learned new stuff, though. Turns out, I needed a SIM card because these phones did not have them. I was given directions to a nearby store, Telnet, that would have them.
11:45am.
I exit Carrefour with only a six pack of tiny(330ml) cans of Coca-Cola and start walking to Telnet.
At Telnet, I got a little further. I point to a phone. Good. SIM card. Good. Next was paperwork. I filled in my name. Next is the identification. I pulled out my passport. Then, my drivers license as a second form. Again, standstill. I couldn't explain that I wanted a prepaid phone so didn't need an ARC or visa. I couldn't even buy Coca-Cola here. I just left.
12:25pm.
I felt defeated every single step I took while walking home on that uncomfortably humid day.
1:30pm.
I explained to the hostel owner what happened. He volunteered to help me. I couldn't refuse. First, we went to get a SIM card. That was pretty involved and he had to explain my passport, why I didn't have visa, and that I didn't need a work permit for a prepaid phone. Next, we got a compatible phone.
All of this would have been impossible without a translator.
3:25 pm.
I got a phone.
In the States, I feel competent and even resourceful. Feeling helpless is tough to grapple with.
Anyhow, I think I'm writing about this because in the future I'll feel frustrated learning Chinese. I want to remind future Tim that staying up late and learning new vocab and grammar, however frustrating, will indeed serve a larger purpose.
In Taiwan, a work permit or long-term visa is necessary to buy a scooter, get internet, or have a monthly cell phone plan. However, my go-to guy, the hostel owner, said it was possible to buy a pay-as-you-go phone without either.
Start time : 9:50am.
I walked to the nearest Carrefour. Carrefour is the Walmart of South America, Asia, and Europe. Here, Carrefour sells everything ranging from produce to motorized scooters. In the electronics section, I pointed to a phone. Hurray, the phone was taken out of the display case and ready for purchase. Next step, I pointed to a phone card to buy minutes. Nothing. Little more gesturing: card plus phone, card and phone connecting, card and phone dancing. "Phone no work," said store clerk. I nodded my head and pointed to the card again. Nope, no card, just a head shake for no. Maybe this phone was only available with a plan. I didn't know and didn't want to buy a useless phone. I decided to go back to the hostel and research more.
I walked back to where I entered the store. Wrong; the entrance and exit are not juxtaposed or even close to each other. In order to exit, I had to walk through the entire store and three floors. I did, however, find a clerk who asked what I needed in Engrish. "Nothing," I said, "I tried to buy a phone, but wasn't able to." Next, the process repeated with more people around. I learned new stuff, though. Turns out, I needed a SIM card because these phones did not have them. I was given directions to a nearby store, Telnet, that would have them.
11:45am.
I exit Carrefour with only a six pack of tiny(330ml) cans of Coca-Cola and start walking to Telnet.
At Telnet, I got a little further. I point to a phone. Good. SIM card. Good. Next was paperwork. I filled in my name. Next is the identification. I pulled out my passport. Then, my drivers license as a second form. Again, standstill. I couldn't explain that I wanted a prepaid phone so didn't need an ARC or visa. I couldn't even buy Coca-Cola here. I just left.
12:25pm.
I felt defeated every single step I took while walking home on that uncomfortably humid day.
1:30pm.
I explained to the hostel owner what happened. He volunteered to help me. I couldn't refuse. First, we went to get a SIM card. That was pretty involved and he had to explain my passport, why I didn't have visa, and that I didn't need a work permit for a prepaid phone. Next, we got a compatible phone.
All of this would have been impossible without a translator.
3:25 pm.
I got a phone.
In the States, I feel competent and even resourceful. Feeling helpless is tough to grapple with.
Anyhow, I think I'm writing about this because in the future I'll feel frustrated learning Chinese. I want to remind future Tim that staying up late and learning new vocab and grammar, however frustrating, will indeed serve a larger purpose.
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