It is extremely difficult for a corporate executive expatriate to adjust in Taipei, Taiwan. Most people are aware of the cultural and climate differences in each country, but the difference gap between American and Asian countries is wide. Think about it; it’s hardly a problem if you were an executive expat designated to UK or USA. The citizens’ native language is English, which is considered the universal language. Expats of any nationality will have no trouble at all in adjusting to living or working there. It is relatively easy to ask people for information because there’s no language issue.
On the other hand, some citizens of Taiwan don’t have the privilege of understanding or speaking English. This is the big disadvantage for expats: a gap in language. Commuting for the first time, for example, is impossible without help from a national host. The signs are confusing and even directions given by helpful citizens become useless once you find there are more turning corners than stoplights in the area. Unless you get used to the area first and memorize direction you can’t find your way around places. Without some knowledge of their language, it’s almost hopeless.
As for being a corporate executive in Taipei, it is hard. Aside from having to adapt to a different set of rules and regulations, you also have to conform to what is ideal for their culture. You can’t scold or criticize the native employees since some may take it as discrimination, especially if you are Caucasian. You could be easily disrespected by acting too dominantly, but some expats have found a way to work around this by showing constant acts of kindness. Being judged is inevitable no matter where a corporate executive works, but the hard part is that you have to ignore it or confront it in order to put an end to the issue. Confronting managerial issues is challenging in Taipei since workers know little English, they can easily misunderstand your intention if you don’t put in some Taiwanese words and enough emphasis in it.
As an expat, no matter what your nationality is, if you are designated to Taipei then taking some online language courses is a must. Admittedly it can be disturbing to be around people you don’t understand. There’s discomfort when they are laughing and jeering around you. It’s hard to tell whether they are making fun of your or simply conversing about something entertaining.
There is constant doubt about your place in their society; a mild form of paranoia, if that’s what you call it, but it’s normal for novice expats. The environment is alien, if not new, and that is enough to feel uneasy at first. At first, corporate executive expats are immune to it since proper management is the main focus, but after a while consciousness sets in. In the end, the point of view of each worker matters a lot in managing a whole project and risks are higher. If you can’t get along with nationals in and out of the workplace, it could cost the success of your project, and possibly your job.
Hartford Group International Taipei 