Survey Reveals Taiwan’s Most Disrespectful Cities

Many people view Taiwanese individuals as respectful and welcoming, but how true is this stereotype? While Taiwan is renowned for its strong cultural traditions and overall politeness, it’s important to recognize that not everyone perfectly embodies these qualities. Like any society, Taiwan has its share of behaviors that some may perceive as impolite.

At LingualNeeds, a dynamic language learning platform specializing in online English and Spanish lessons, we set out to uncover insights on urban etiquette in Taiwan. We surveyed 1,250 residents across over 20 cities to identify which locations they perceive as the rudest, along with the most common and least favorable behaviors contributing to this reputation.

Key findings

• Hualien, Hsinchu, and Pingtung are ranked as the rudest cities in Taiwan by their residents.
• Common rude behaviors include using phones excessively in public, arriving late, and making noise in shared spaces.
• Men exhibit rude behaviors, including public winking, significantly more often than women.
• Generation X exhibits ruder behaviors than other generations, especially when it comes to being engrossed in their phones in public.
• In six cities, invading personal space without consent ranks as the rudest behavior, while in New Taipei, bringing an uninvited guest is deemed the most disrespectful act.

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Manners across cultures

Mastering a new language is not just about learning words and grammar; it involves delving into the rich history and culture that shape how people communicate. Each language reflects unique social norms and customs, influencing how individuals express themselves and interact with others. For instance, while we often assume that politeness is universal, cultural differences abound—what is deemed courteous in one country may be perceived as impolite in another. Factors like punctuality, personal space, and even the choice of emojis in digital conversations can vary significantly across cultures. Understanding these nuances is essential for effective communication.

At LingualNeeds, we provide tailored one-on-one lessons with experienced language tutors. If you’re planning to relocate to Taiwan and are learning Traditional Chinese, we suggest connecting with a Taiwanese tutor who can help you understand local etiquette. They’ll guide you through the subtleties of Taiwanese customs and social norms. Conversely, if you’re learning with an English teacher in preparation for work or study abroad, be sure to inquire about the differences between Taiwanese social practices and those in Western cultures.

Hualien, Hsinchu, and Pingtung are ranked as the rudest cities in Taiwan

To uncover the rudest cities in Taiwan, we surveyed residents about the frequency of rude behaviors in their communities. From their responses, we generated a “rudeness score” for each city based on the reported behaviors, allowing us to rank them accordingly.

Hualien, Hsinchu, and Pingtung top the list of the rudest cities in Taiwan, with rudeness scores of 6.63, 6.26, and 6.23, respectively. These scores highlight the social dynamics at play in these urban areas.

Hualien, celebrated for its breathtaking landscapes, surprisingly ranks as the rudest city in Taiwan according to locals, who give it an average rudeness score of 6.63. While the city’s natural beauty is undeniable, residents have noted a notable deficit in politeness. Frequent rude behaviors include tardiness and excessive phone use in public spaces.

Coming in at number two is Hsinchu, which received a rudeness score of 6.26. Residents here often cite being distracted by their phones and making excessive noise in public as the leading examples of impolite behavior. Following closely in third place is Pingtung, with a score of 6.23. In Pingtung, the most frequently reported rude behaviors include swearing and refusing to let others merge in traffic.

Tied for fourth place, Keelung and Douliu both have a rudeness score of 6.18. In Keelung, common rude behaviors include blasting loud music or videos on phones and invading others’ personal space. On the other hand, Douliu sees frequent complaints about littering and loud conversations or phone calls on trains.

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The most common rude behaviors

Across cities in the country, the most common behavior observed is people engrossed in their phones while in public, averaging a score of 6.21. Hsinchu stands out as the city where this behavior is most prevalent, boasting a notably higher score of 7.24. Interestingly, similar studies conducted in the UK and France reveal a parallel trend, with our smartphone fixation consistently ranking among the top behaviors deemed rude globally.

Arriving late was a notable trend, averaging a score of 6.05. Hualien led the pack with a score of 7.02, making it the city most often associated with tardiness, followed by Changhua at 6.62 and Miaoli at 6.57. Hualien also ranked highest in several other behaviors, including swearing, where it scored 7.02, with Pingtung (6.61) and Hsinchu (6.54) trailing behind. Furthermore, Hsinchu (6.57) and New Taipei (6.55) were prominent for public displays of affection, while Keelung (6.61) and Chiayi (6.51) were known for playing loud music or videos on their phones.

Other cities made the list as well. Notably, Keelung stood out as the place where individuals were most inclined to invade personal space and wink at others, with both behaviors averaging a score of 5.74 across the nation.

The most offensive home etiquette breaches

When participants were asked to identify the most offensive behaviors one might display at home, the study revealed a wide range of responses, highlighting the diversity of opinions on what constitutes unacceptable conduct in a private space.

In six cities—Kaohsiung, Taichung, Chiayi, Hsinchu, Keelung, and Douliu—violating personal space without consent is viewed as the height of rudeness. Notably, Keelung stands out as the city most prone to disregarding others’ personal boundaries, making this insight particularly intriguing.

In New Taipei, showing up with an uninvited guest without prior notice is regarded as one of the rudest behaviors. Meanwhile, in cities like Tainan and Changhua, having guests who drink excessively is seen as particularly offensive. In Taipei, however, the biggest faux pas is sticking chopsticks upright in a bowl, which is considered disrespectful.

Hualien, known for its vibrant atmosphere, surprisingly ranked speaking loudly and being overly boisterous as the rudest behaviors. This is particularly intriguing, given that it also holds the title for the second noisiest public areas and is the loudest when it comes to conversations on trains. Meanwhile, in Miaoli, Taitung, and Zhubei, not allowing the guest of honor or the eldest attendee to eat first is deemed the most disrespectful act.

Gender and generational differences

An intriguing perspective on these findings reveals how behaviors differ across genders and generations. When surveyed about common rude actions, men reported engaging in these behaviors more often than women. For example, men indicated they arrive late with a frequency of 4.39, compared to women’s score of 3.98. This trend was consistent across various behaviors, with the most notable difference in ‘winking at others in public,’ where men reported a frequency of 4.49, significantly outpacing women’s 3.42.

A recent study highlights intriguing generational differences in behavior. On average, Generation X (ages 43-58) tends to display rudeness more frequently than any other generation, particularly when it comes to being engrossed in their phones in public, scoring an average of 5.09—higher than even Gen Z. In contrast, Gen Z (ages 16-26) reported lower instances of rude behaviors overall, with arriving late and pointing at others being the most commonly observed actions.

Conclusion

Our research uncovered intriguing behavioral differences across Taiwanese cities. While some residents perceive certain areas as ruder than others, these opinions can greatly differ from person to person. It’s essential to note that Taiwanese culture deeply values respect and kindness, which shapes interactions in everyday life.

At LingualNeeds, we emphasize the importance of cultural understanding and respectful communication in fostering meaningful connections. By grasping the subtle cultural nuances, you can significantly enrich your experience in Taiwan.

Methodology

Between January 29 and February 7, 2024, we conducted a survey involving more than 1,250 residents from 23 cities across Taiwan. To ensure a representative sample, participants were required to have lived in Taiwan for at least 12 months. This survey was carried out by Censuswide.

To determine the cities that embody the most respect, we surveyed residents about the frequency of common disrespectful behaviors they observe in their communities. By averaging these responses, we established a “rudeness score” for each city and ranked them accordingly. Additionally, we prompted participants to share how often they themselves engage in these behaviors, allowing us to compare generational differences in rudeness. Cities with fewer than 40 respondents were excluded from our analysis to ensure reliable results.

Note: The margin of error is +/- 2.77%.