Key taboos in Taiwan focus on avoiding associations with death, bad luck, and disrespecting spirits. Major taboos include sticking chopsticks vertically in rice (resembling incense for the dead), gifting items like clocks or sharp objects, using red ink for names, and ignoring superstitions during "Ghost Month".
Common taboos involve restrictions or ritual regulation of killing and hunting; sex and sexual relationships; reproduction; the dead and their graves; as well as food and dining (primarily cannibalism and dietary laws such as vegetarianism, kashrut, and halal) or religious (treif and haram).
Never use your feet to move an object or to point as feet are considered dirty. Place your hands in your lap when sitting. Men should not cross their legs, but rather place both feet on the floor. Putting an arm around someone's shoulder, winking, and pointing with your index finger are all considered rude gestures.
Travel. Heroin, morphine, opium, cocaine, coca leaves, poppy, poppy seeds, amphetamine, marijuana, marijuana seeds, marijuana derivatives containing over 10 ppm of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), derived products of the said materials, etc. are prohibited.
Yes, you can absolutely wear red in Taiwan; it's a very auspicious color symbolizing good fortune, happiness, and celebration, used extensively in festivals, weddings, and temples, though you should avoid writing someone's name in red ink as it's considered bad luck and a sign of death. Red clothing is common and welcomed, especially during festive times, and generally, you can wear whatever you like, with few restrictions.
The "333 rule" in clothing refers to two popular minimalist fashion concepts: the viral TikTok trend of using 3 tops, 3 bottoms, and 3 shoes to create numerous outfits (9 items total) for styling practice, and the more extensive Project 333, where you select 33 items (including clothes, shoes, and accessories) to wear for three months, excluding essentials like underwear, workout gear, and sleepwear, to simplify your wardrobe and reduce decision fatigue. Both methods focus on versatility, quality over quantity, and creating a functional capsule wardrobe.
In Taiwan, the colour red transcends mere aesthetics; it is an emblem of festivity, good fortune, and tradition. While Western countries often associate red with Christmas due to Santa's iconic outfit, Taiwan's cultural roots trace back to China, where red symbolises happiness and prosperity.
As a result, both the central government and local governments prohibited the downloading, installation, and use of Douyin or TikTok apps on government-issued smartphones, tablets, and computers. In February 2025, Ministry of Digital Affairs announced it would block DeepSeek in government, citing security concerns.
Besides murder, the death penalty may be imposed for crimes such as robbery, piracy, extortion and "internal disruption." There has also been a trend toward expanding the use of the death penalty. Certain political crimes, for example, are punishable by death on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
In Taiwanese Mandarin, 87 (ㄅㄚ ㄑㄧ- bā qī) sounds very similar to the slang term 白癡 (ㄅㄞˊ ㄔ – bái chī), which means “idiot” or “fool.” This phonetic similarity is the key to its usage as a playful, and sometimes sarcastic, way to call someone an idiot.
Adultery, homosexuality, respect for parents, and eating pork are some of the taboos. Some of these taboos such as adultery and homosexuality can be punishable by physical abuse or even death.
Of all the taboo meat, human flesh ranks as the most heavily proscribed. In recent times, humans have consumed the flesh of fellow humans in rituals and out of insanity, hatred, or overriding hunger – never as a common part of their diet, but it is thought that the practice was once widespread among all humans.
If you're unsure if a country has banned WhatsApp, this guide should help answer your questions. No, WhatsApp is currently not banned in Taiwan. Does WhatsApp Work in Iraq? No, Iraq does not ban WhatsApp or VoIP calls.
Taiwanese have a reputation for being friendly and welcoming to outsiders. Visitors are likely to receive random hellos on the street. People may want to practice their English with you (most people can speak at least some basic English).
The common way to greet people in Taiwan is by either saying Nĭ hăo or Nĭn hăo and these phrases translate as “Hello.” While the former is a more relaxed manner of greeting that you'd use with friends, the latter is a formal way of saying 'Hello' which you should use when greeting those senior to you or when speaking ...
Purple. While red is recognized in Taiwan, as it around the world, as the symbol of love, purple is believed to symbolize romance in Taiwanese culture.
What happens if a woman picks up a red envelope in Taiwan?
According to local folklore, picking up a red envelope could mean you're being tied to a ghost seeking a spouse—often someone who passed away without marrying. The consequences of rejecting this ghost marriage are serious, as it's believed to bring bad luck.
The color of Orange or scarlet is the main color for attracting money which makes it an excellent color choice for a wallet. As Brown represents the earth, it is a color that promotes and encourages saving. If you are looking to be more saving savvy or start a new savings regime, Brown is an ideal wallet color.
