what aspects of taiwan make this country better than the west?

Question

public behavior? no kidding!

Answer 1

That's a racist question. Are you some kind of Asian supremacist?

Answer 2

Taiwan isn't better or worse than any western country. It's different. Having said that, here are some of the things I admire about Taiwan, and from which we westerners can learn:

1. Criminals get punished, and low-lifes get deported.
2. Children are safe (at least safer than in North America)
3. Old people are respected.
4. Health care is provided by government--faster, better, and cheaper than in a lot of western countries.
5. Standards of public behaviour are good.
6. There is more freedom than in the US or Canada. You can drink in a public place--but God help you if you cause trouble.
7. I like the way people drive--they act as if they have a destination in mind.

Taiwan isn't perfect, and there is plenty that I don't like:
1. sexism in advertising and career opportunities.
2. racism towards, and exploitation of, people from other parts of Asia.
3. Business people bailing to set up shop in Mainland China, so they don't have ot pay the workers as much.

I do not wear rose-coloured glasses in Taiwan, but I am not blind to the faults of the place either.

Answer 3

Its not better, but different as Dan said. That is one reason why I like it.

other excuses for being here:
1) the size is small. I can go to the mountains from my house in 1 hr or less by scooting. or to the ocean 1 hr or less.
2) great cellular network coverage and pricing.
3) lawyers and whingers don't run the place, the lawyers just do their jobs quietly and mostly dont try to manipulate the laws (at least where anyone cares yet). If anyone runs this place, its accountants with a keen eye on efficiency. Whingers get whacked down as they should be. The squeaky wheel gets the hammer here, not the grease, and thats why it works well. If one has a legitimate complaint you can still get things changed or just withdraw your financial support for the business in question.
4) Spring, Winter, and Fall weather cannot be beat.
5) Street vendors are much better to see than homeless people. Plus, it makes things very convenient (other than traffic at times) and you are helping someone out.
6) universal health care for people who work legally. Thats a great incentive to follow the laws- you get something for it! The American government could learn something there-- if the HMO pirates didn't own the politicians 'running' the place.
7) humility rather than arrogance. (for most people here) humility is a lost cause out west it seems- believe the biggest liar full of the most s**t that is what you want to hear! how else could GW be re-elected? (sorry- I started to rant)
8) the willingness and openness to CHANGE to adapt to problems by the majority of people here.

The downsides everyone has already heard volumes about. It basically winds down to over-concentration of population, leading to pollution and traffic nightmares/parking etc. And of course the heat some days. but if you have AC or even a fan, just relax and bear it!

There is a lot that is positive about western countries that the Taiwanese are learning and trying to emulate. Sometimes I think the west could take a look at here and learn some things too, but (unfortunately) most people I meet back west tend to stick to (often racist) pre-conceptions about Asian countries/people and are blind/ or aware but unwilling to adjust their own faults.

Answer 4

Freedom is somewhat subjective, yes pagan dan?

Some would say drinking alcohol in public is freedom, and others would say compulsory military service is not freedom. Some say having an all-volunteer military is better than conscription too - here's one thing that the Taiwanese are still learning from the westerners. Yes, there's nothing like a "free" ticket to Jinmen or Mazu!

Answer 5

eh, the west of what? the Europeans? well, I like Taiwan as country, but try to think a little more or provide more info before you try to ask questions of this sort..

American with Asian background

Answer 6

the confucius teaching of "work hard" and the natural human greed for wealth