There is something about Taiwan
By Olecia Christie | 3 Minute read
A few years ago, I had an extraordinary encounter. I was the Communications Leader for the Global Emerging Markets for a multi-national, Fortune 500 organization. I had come into the role with no predecessor and was thrilled at the idea of charting my course. A month into the role, I traveled to Taiwan to present my communication plan to the Taiwan team. This is the story I wrote of how my presence stirred a few locals while walking in the streets of Taipei:
There's something about the streets of Taiwan. I wander through the bustle with Julie to find the nearest 7/11 from the office. It takes me a few minutes in the stroll to realize the bright-eyed looks and almost bowing like gestures. I assume it's cultural. Bright-eyed, yet kind. A lady stops and smiles and waves at me and says something to Julie in Taiwanese. I recognize one English word from the conversation. We continue our trek. I have very little interest in the exchange as I fix my curiosity on the throng of motorcycle riders in the street.
There is an area in the city where you rent bikes, and I suppose you return them to an alternate station. We are almost at the 7/11. I see the sign, and I am slightly disappointed as I am enjoying the stroll. On our return, another lady and a gentleman who appears to be her husband stops Julie. They, too, have kind eyes and big broad smiles. They make awkward gestures towards their face, and I have a sense of what they are trying to communicate. I hear the same English word. Then they say something in what Julie later explains is Mandarin and not the local language. The Taiwanese people speak Mandarin along with their local language. This time she explains.
"They say you're beautiful, you stand out, and that they have never seen a black person before." Julie looks shy as she says the word "black." I throw my head back in laughter to appease her, and she joins in as she realizes that it's ok. She explains again that she hopes it's not a bother and that they are just fascinated. Again, I chuckle at her remarks and assures her; it's ok. I use their fascination as an opportunity to capture a pic of Julie and I. They cheerfully oblige. It is true what they say -"travel is the cure for prejudice."
HERE ARE SOME FUN FACTS ABOUT TAIWAN SHOULD YOU EVER VISIT
They are all very terrified of the rain. I mean, like "run-for-your- life-terrified." This was very funny to watch. Of course, I could relate because, if you didn't know, black girls and rain; no bueno!
The Taiwanese all have English names. Somehow this surprised me.
An earthquake is a natural occurrence. I almost ran out of the building, thinking it was about to collapse. Don't do what I did.
They do Karaoke ALL the time. I tried to protest, but before you knew it, I was in a dimly lit underground bar belting out the lyrics to my go-to Karaoke song—Atlantic Starr's "Always."
