The Taipei Kid

Rants/raves + false childhood memories

Taiwan according to Wal-Mart

In the World of Walmart, tiny Taiwan is bigger than Africa or Australia.

Ick.

I am not too sure about its other restaurants, but the coffee shop at the Regent really seems to be sliding. Noisy, crowded, uncomfortable atmosphere; terrible food, including salad that’s obviously been sitting out for hours. This is a Four Season’s property?

Waiting in Line at the Airport is Fun

Do you hate the long immigration lines at Peach Orchard International Airport? Well, don’t complain about it or you could be kicked out of Taiwan for five years–even if you are married to a Taiwanese.

American Woman in Taiwan fined for…naughty language

I just have to shake my head in disbelief at this article about an American woman living in Hualien being fined NTD 6,000 (about US$181) for telling someone to frig off. See Rank’s breakdown about this–and “Don’t think that Taiwanese judges don’t understand English”!
I love this bit:
The accompanying story explains that the defendant had had [...]

U.S. meat

Our secret spies have been at it again, and this time they’ve caught an interesting way to sell U.S. beef. (And corn-fed beef–see the corn!) Not really sure if that cow is sporting a uni-udder or needs a ballbra. And that’s about all we are going to say about this–we don’t want to have to [...]

Overheard on the Sidewalk

The Players:
A: Late-40s, tired, bald, white, North American, ex-military-type-or-high-school-coach-looking dad
B and C: Dad’s two teenage Eurasian kids; perhaps the family is here visiting relatives?
The Setting: Walking around behind the Shin Kong Tower area, the teens start to argue with dad.
B (the son): “Dad, you’re not making any sense.”
A: (Stops to turn around and violently grab [...]