I came to Taiwan to pursue my degree thinking that Taiwanese are “friendly,” but I was welcomed by Taiwanese classmates laughing at my friend’s name, Maria (瑪莉亞). At the time, I could not understand why they were mocking the name of Jesus’ mother. Later, I learned that “Maria” had become a stereotype — a shorthand for Filipino migrant workers. That was because many Filipino women in Taiwan, especially those who became house helpers, happen to have that name.
With the rapidly increasing number of foreigners coming to Taiwan to work or study, more Taiwanese are interacting, socializing and forming relationships with foreigners. Taiwan loves foreigners — unless you are the “wrong” kind. That thought crossed my mind when I encountered weird behavior from a store clerk; my questions were ignored and their attitude was unwelcoming. Yet, the moment a white foreigner walked in, their attitude changed. They became cheerful, polite and eager to help. At first, I wondered if it was because my Mandarin was still at a beginner’s level, but then I heard how the clerk praised the white foreigner’s Mandarin, appreciating their effort in a way that I never experienced.
The word “foreigner” has lost its true meaning. It has created an invisible divide. Some foreigners are welcomed with open arms, while others are treated as if they do not belong. In Taiwan, there would always be the “wanted” and “unwanted” foreigners.
Racism might be erased from our dictionaries, but stereotypes live on. Take cram schools for example, those with a “Hollywood look” have a higher chance of being hired as English teachers with better pay, even if they are not native speakers or qualified to teach. Meanwhile, those with Asian features, especially Southeast Asians, are often paid less and struggle to gain respect from students and fellow teachers. Being white carries more weight than actual skill, raising one simple question: Why?
Many Taiwanese associate Southeast Asians with migrant workers. While some do come for labor jobs, not all Southeast Asians are migrant workers. And even if they are, why should that justify discrimination? No matter how much people deny it, the reality is that Taiwan and its foreign workers rely on each other, and both sides benefit from that relationship. I am not saying that Taiwan would be nothing without people from other countries. However, with a declining birthrate and labor shortages, Taiwan heavily depends on foreign workers. Would Taiwan have achieved its level of development without them?
Think about it — without Southeast Asian caregivers, who would take care of elderly family members? Many elderly people in Taiwan might not be able to do their morning exercise routine at the park, or even worse, they might not have lived as long without the caregivers’ support.
Outside formal institutions, stereotypes are deeply immersed in everyday interactions on the streets of Taiwan. Store clerks greet Westerners with warm smiles, but that friendliness often fades when the next person in line is from Southeast Asia. That is why Western foreigners often describe Taiwanese as “very friendly” — but you are far less likely to hear the same from Southeast Asians.
As a Southeast Asian in Taiwan, I struggle to find a silver lining in that situation. There is little we can do to change deep-seated mindsets or erase harmful stereotypes.
Taiwan is a democratic country where people have the right to express themselves freely. However, breaking stereotypes and shifting perspectives? Do not expect too much — it would only happen if people are truly willing to change. The real question is: Are they even willing?
Adelynn Belicia Sinaga is a student in the Department of International Affairs at Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages.
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