who’s number 1?
i think the friendships i've made here in taipei are going to be good solid relationships for a long time to come. there isn't this whole attitude of "what can you do for me?" fouling up the air, and people are just willing to be friendly for the sake of being friendly.
it appears to me people here are way more down-to-earth and less self-servient than the people back in the states. people don't expect anything when they help you, and are more able to help themselves out when they are in need. no one here blames society for their troubles.
people here are a lot more trustworthy as well. a kid got off the bus without paying. so the bus driver drives up ten feet to catch up with the boy, and through the open door yells something at the boy - kinda like your father would do if you did something you weren't supposed to. the boy boards the bus, pays his fare and gets right off. that wouldn't happen in the states.
a lot of people from places like this come to the united states and are seen as not social. but i'm starting to realize the opposite: they're not shy, they're just afraid of having their friendliness seen as weakness and exploited. at least that's part of it.