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2.
Dressing for Business
For business or formal occasions, the code is almost exactly the
same as in the West. Ladies should wear attractive dresses, skirts,
or suits with slacks. Gentlemen should wear a tie, and above all,
good leather shoes. During the hot months, it is almost impossible
to wear a suit coat, but for more formal occasions, it is appropriate
to bring one along for show anyway.
3. Shoes
Always take your shoes off when you enter someone's home. This rule
is virtually universal in Taiwan. Usually your host will provide
you with a pair of slippers to wear while indoors. If you receive
guests into your room or home, it's always a nice touch to make
sure extra slippers are ready.
Don't take off your shoes in public places - it's not expected,
except in a few restaurants or tea houses with tatami mats.
In Taiwan, wearing sandals or "flip flops" is viewed as a farmer's
habit, and therefore inappropriately proletarian. Polite people
do not go out on the town, much less show up for work, in sandals.
They may, however, happily wear them down to the morning market
to purchase the day's fresh vegetables. Many libraries and finer
establishments do not allow sandal-wearers onto the premises at
all. Nevertheless, leather sandals with straps, particularly imported
ones that are expensive (or appear to be), are increasingly accepted.
4. Greetings
When they meet each other, people in Taiwan usually shake hands.
They generally do not bow as in Korea or Japan, except on very formal
occasions, such as when receiving an award or addressing an audience.
When presenting a gift, money, a package or a document, it is polite
to offer it with both hands. This symbolizes that the present is
an extension of your person.
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