People & Society

The Friendliest People in Asia

Taiwanese are rightly considered the friendliest and most helpful people in Asia — and this is no exaggeration, but an experience that every traveler confirms. If you stand with a city map in hand, passersby will not only explain the way but personally accompany you to your destination — even if it is a detour for them. In trains, seats are offered, in restaurants help is given when ordering, and if you lose your wallet, you are very likely to get it back.

This friendliness has cultural roots: The Confucian values of Courtesy (禮, Lǐ), Kindness (仁, Rén), and Harmony (和, Hé) are deeply embedded in Taiwanese society. Added to this is the concept of “Giving Face" (給面子, Gěi Miànzi) — showing respect and dignity to others, even strangers. The result: a society where kindness is not an extra but the norm.

For travelers, this means: You will constantly be invited — for tea, for meals, to sit. Accept these invitations! The best travel experiences in Taiwan come from random encounters with locals who show you their favorite restaurant, take you on their scooter, or tell you a story about the temple on the corner.