Taipei And Me
I love Taipei because (1) they have a vast and well organized public transport system, (2) good foods, my kind of foods, are readily available and cheap and (3) people treat seniors nice and take me in as their own.
In TP, you don‘t need to drive, which is a blessing for me. TP has the most effective and efficient network of subway and bus systems, and the services are practically totally free for seniors. I rarely need taxi or uber in TP, which saves me a lot of money.
People in TP love to eat. Food courts are everywhere and always crowded. I prefer small eateries specializing in beef noodles, dumplings, soy beverages and Dim Sum’s. They are really cheap —- beef noodle costs $5 and 粽子 less than $2 each (similar items in NOLA, if available, are $15 and $8, respectively).
Around town, 7-Eleven stores and public toilets seem to be always nearby at no more than a few blocks away. They are, more often than not, in both inside and outside of a hotel or a transport station. Eateries, barber shops can also be easily found along the main streets or allay ways. This kind of conveniences is unthinkable in NOLA or Seattle.
People here are friendly to a fault. Seniors, in particular, are recognized, and sometimes even allowed to move up in line for medical and other services. As a senior, I don‘t remember I have been in need of finding a seat in a crowded train or bus, as people are practically fighting to offer their seats to me. I was once standing in the hallway. A group of young men walked by. Obviously concerned that this old man might be lost, they started asking questions. As usual, I was hard of hearing, which further led to the belief that this white hair guy must be in trouble. Not until I finally convinced them I was really ok did they leave me. I appreciate the kindness of these young folks and wholeheartedly thanked them for it.
We have learned in TP that, for some reason, the folks become less friendly or stay away from you if you speak English. It is ok for foreigners to speak whatever tones, but not if you look Chinese, and speak English. Particularly if you speak bad English or Chinese-English then people know you are not foreign born and just trying to show off, which is a no-no. On the other hand, people love it if you speak bad Chinese or English-Chinese, because they know you are foreign born and trying to speak Chinese, which is encouraged and appreciated. Anyway, in TP you better speak Chinese. Any Chinese will do.
TP used to be my home. I act like it too. Walk the walk and talk the talk, so to speak. Absolutely undeniable, I am a TPnese and proud to be one!
去國經年, 近日回歸將月, 發現台人治台,可圈可點, 今日的台北, 比之歐美大都市, 可以說有過之而無不及. 值得來看看. 下面是我住康寜生活會館, 所見所聞的簡錄紀要.
• 康寧生活會館不值得來住, 新住客失望, 老住客搖頭.
• 台北市的捷運確實是辦得好, 老人等於免費. 大大的省我 taxi 和 uber fees, 德政, 德政!
• 老人優先, 貨真價實. 靠我一頭白髮, 真是賺盡便宜. 掛號可以插隊, 上車－定有人讓位, 所以說, 在台北千萬不要染髮.
• 牛肉麵, 燒餅油條, 豆花小吃, 到處都是, 又便宜, 這裡是吃的天堂, －點不假.
• 在我們所住方圓一公里內. 有三多: 7-eleven 多, 公共廁所多, 廟宇多. 日常吃用, 拉屎拉尿, 拜神求佛, 就地多有方便.
• 看醫生, 掛號超容易, 等待有技巧, 結果天知道。
• 台北人喜歡說 ”不好意思“. 不會說 ”對不起“. 問路先說”不好意思“. 打錯人 或撞了車 也說 ”不好意思“.