Taiwanese helps Passengers to Read the World

nope, it should be Their World.

I have not told half of what I saw. — Marco Polo

Wherever you are living in Taiwan, there’s always a need to go somewhere by the train. Don’t get me wrong, people in Taiwan do not just rely on their skinny scooter to sneak around the island.

Not all people,well, perhaps those from Hong Kong who are used to enjoy efficient public mass transport, always check the train schedule prior. We expect credible transport. Living in Taiwan and not having a scooter or car myself, I find myself often in such dilemma that it’s either too early or too late to go anywhere by the train. But today’s blessed. Thirty minutes early to catch the next train to my destiny. It’s my second time to Taichung, though I have been living in Taiwan for almost four years. It took me just two hours by the train to Taichung from Tainan.

So how do the Taiwanese try to teach us their world view? By showing a world book in the train station...

How do the Taiwanese think about the US?

The USA literally produces meats, vegetables and fruits. Technological advancement? Remarkable.

And the Taiwanese people can remember all the state flag of each states. Seriously, I know none of them! I doubt if any American kids nowadays can spell all 50 States name correctly...Not to mention remember the flags.

Here a translation of the paragraph above.

There are 50 states in the United States. Each state has its own set of law(marked by ✮) and their own state flag. Can you find Cape Canaveral, the place which has launched the first spacecraft on the planet?

In the US, people are busy harvesting, car-racing,horse-racing, also feeding pigs and cows, growing corns, producing tobacco and peanuts. Many people also work in the factory. Some states have enormous and breakth-taking valleys, or perhaps with Rushmore's interesting human status. You may try traveling in the US for a week, perhaps you'll find something more interesting.

What do the Taiwanese think about their neighboring counterparts?

Southeast Asia seems to be a place full of pretty architectures, mountains and raw materials.

Here a translation of the paragraph above.

Australia is the smallest continent in the world. It has thousands miles of beach coastal lines and great grassland for goats and cows. The nomads are encircled by fences so as to yield safety and defend them from stray Eagles dogs. Since 1770, massive Europeans landed here and developed modern cities. Before their coming, only natives were found.

New Zealand is smaller, however it has fair climate that's good for whole-year to stocking, making it as one of the biggest exporters of cotton and producers of livestock and forestry. It has abundant natural gas and water to produce electricity. Great mountains and beautiful lakes are also found.

New Guinea has become independent in 1975. Economically, it's closely tied with Australia. Many natives are still living as tribal fighters in the inland areas.

Here's how Taiwan thinks about Hong Kong and China.

Hong Kong, stock market with great money.

China, a place does not have much(hot) money but a treasured continent, according to the map book.

It seems to me the the writer of this world book acquire thorough understanding and knowledge about China. These days, quite many a person in China become wealthier than before. Well, if you only knew that…Money can’t buy mountains, the sea, the lakes, and the rest you name it.

Taiwanese people surely do not just adore money,right?!

Africa

What about Europe?

Obviously, the Western world doesn't seem so much different from Asia!

Even the Taiwanese know that Scotland has great drinks!

How Taiwan thinks about Taiwan...

Here’s the world the train in Taiwan show us.

Tainan Train Station. You can find the reading zone right next to the lift on Platform 1, which is north-bound.

An oversize map book and a bookshelf in the reading zone. Literally, if you are having two eyes fairly functional, then you are able to read the book properly, which is pinned on the board near the lift on the platform heading to North Taiwan. ( I bet,some of our naked eyes doesn’t always capable to see thoroughly as to understand something deep.)

60% of Taiwanese are in the servicing industry, National Statistics told.

People in Taiwan, in general, recognize the countries of the world by the foods that each is capable to produce themselves. If one's ignorant about Taiwan's demographic situation, the map displayed--Taiwan as a traditionally agricultural place - Such image is far from sufficient to know about this island.According to the National statistics of Taiwanese Government in 2014, it is told that 58.9% of the population engaged in servicing industry while only 5% in the agricultural employment.(1) It literally gives me a shock to realize the map...who will be the victims of such worldview that they only recognize cash crops mostly? Taiwanese, more than half of the people are actually in the servicing industries. Statistics somehow can fool people like me...

Taiwan, the new Silicon Valley, Asia!?

In 2011, Jiao Youjun, former Director of Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association(TEEMA) claimed that Taiwan could be the Silicon Valley in Asia. (2)Even Stan Shih, found of ACER Taiwan, shares the same view.(3)

Well, I’m nobody to judge. However those who attempt to set foot in Asia and run their own tech business are advised to be aware that most Taiwanese I know here are inclined to agricultural development and new technology, not mere servicing.

If the world view of the map unravel the reality or that my understanding is yet to be confirm with empirical observation...then treating this book as a mere children's literature save your soul.

Taiwanese's intelligence is adequate to her surroundings, for reasonable success, but still more to happiness.

Friends living in the USA must be overwhelmed by the fact that Taiwanese can recognize all the state flags of 50 states. These days, average Americans barely know about the world outside the America. It has been quite a bias to me when I read that Americans have a bad reputation when it comes to knowing a thing or two about the world around them. National Geographic also conducted a convey and suggests that young Americans are geographically illiterate. Having met a few American friends,who are either working or studying, and living in Taiwan for quite a while, what they shared with me of their critical remarks of Taiwan could be just based on personal experiences. But if the education in Taiwan is proper to land me a job anywhere in the world, then my only wish is that the intelligence of Asian kids exceeds what the world expect.

PS: I am a Hong Kong student currently studying and living in Taiwan, and I admit that the claim told Taiwanese media are turning people into zombies(5) is real. Don't read the news from mainstream media in Taiwan. It's a blessing if you can't read Mandarin somehow.

References:

1. Republic of China, National Statistics,Social Indicators 2013(Updated:September 2014)<http://eng.stat.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=36500&ctNode=3480&mp=5>
2. 行政院：台灣可扮演亞洲矽谷, 2011-02-22, <http://www.bost.ey.gov.tw/intelligenttaiwan/News_Content.aspx?n=4FF95F884209DCEC&sms=2CF7634D03C630C1&s=2F4FA5E444BF3F1E>
3. Marguerite Ward ,World Mic, May 14, 2014, "9 Things You’d Believe About World Geography if You Only Listened to Fox News"<http://mic.com/articles/89381/9-things-you-d-believe-about-world-geography-if-you-only-listened-to-fox-news>
4. Common Wealth Magazine(天下雜誌) 宏碁董事長施振榮：台灣需要由右到左思考微笑曲線,2014–01–21, <http://www.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=5055506>
5. Taiwan News, "Foreign Policy: Taiwan media are turning people into zombies",2014-02-23,<http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=2420835>

This article also appears on NCKU Magazine Vol.249 in 2015.