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Time：第 37 次例會，2006年1月6日（週五）晚上7~9點
Place：
viewtopic.php?t=15
19:00~20:00 gossiping and chatting
20:00~21:00 topic discussion
Host : Dirk Bremann
Assistant Host: Annie Chung
TOLERANCE, ACCEPTANCE OR IGNORANCE?
by Dirk Bremann – January 3rd, 2005
Preface
When I was asked to be the host this time, I spontaneously said yes not thinking about the consequences of both1 pick a suitable topic and the effort it might cause.
Nevertheless, I’m happy being asked and found already a topic on my way home last Friday. There is indeed many a2 topic to talk about but actually just one thing most important to me – and maybe you – getting a better understanding about the differences between Taiwanese and Germans – well just a better understanding on the street, not talking about cultural differences and traditions or religion…
This is NOT destined3 for making anyone angry nor is it meant to be criticism of any kind. I am just talking about my every day experience and the feeling occurring from it.
The first day I came here was hot and wet. Being picked up by friends at the airport I found myself very soon in a hot-pot restaurant in Beitou. The hot and humid weather did not make it easier for me to use the chopsticks! (Germans don’t use them, just those who think they are very cool and trendy but still have no real idea to hold them). Full and still sweating we walked to “my new home” after the meal. On the way I bumped into maybe five people, even there was not a lot of folks running around. I did not realize that because I was still suffering from the jetlag, my fatigue4 and the humidity.
The next day I was accompanied 5 to my school, good there was someone to help me find it – without guide I would have been lost. There were lots of people in the streets, but nothing special to me as I have seen a lot of big cities with much more inhabitants. But still there was a difference. People just walked their way, not looking left or right, running everything and everybody over. Not a single word of excuse coming from their lips when they almost make you stumble6, kick your heals or run into you when they come out of a door to find their quick way to a restaurant for lunch or back to work.
In the beginning, I just thought I was too stupid to walk properly7 but now, after half a year, I still find myself in the same predicament8. People not looking where to go, disesteeming 9 anything and anybody around them, going their way as if there was only this one. They even run into me when they have 25 meters to decide where to go -on a 4-meter wide street! Impossible for Germans in particular, and impossible for Europeans, even impossible for Hong Kong Chinese who are always in a hurry but seldom have any collision10 on the street.
People reverse 11 cars and scooters, not looking left or right, hitting pedestrians but don’t care. They come out of shops, such as banks or supermarkets, look left but turn right and what a surprise, bump into someone again.
Sometimes I see old people pushing their spouse in a wheelchair and meet with an obstacle12 but what a wonder again, no help to expect from the unco guide 13 just watching and waiting for them get out of the way.
Even worse, when accidents happen with scooters – scooter drivers like to overtake on the right side even when they see busses indicating 14 right – or cyclists crashing into cars or pedestrians being run over by whatever means of transportation they don’t give a damn about it15 .
Well, it might be just me who is not tolerant enough to know how to ignore all this? Or am I old-fashioned and this is the modern way of life in a city with streets congested16 by people and scooters and cars? I learned to help old people, learned to assist, move out of the way when someone comes towards me, and I call the ambulance in case of an accident and I provide first aid when needed.
So, am I just an idiot who thinks he needs to change the Asian world? Do I just ask too much about it or think about things I should better not care about? What’s wrong that I don’t understand?
Questions:
1. Define the terms TOLERANCE – ACCEPTANCE – IGNORANCE. Put down keywords. Choose one of each group to present it later.
2. Does the text make you angry or smile? Give reasons and be honest!
3. If you have been abroad, describe your experience about the traffic situations and especially about the people who “make the traffic”.
4. What is your experience with foreigners in Taipei? Please just refer to the topic.
5. Ignorance has a negative touch. Are there any positive aspects coming along with the word Ignorance?
6. Do you think people get along well with each other in Taiwan, especially in Taipei? Or is it just a coexistence17?
7. Well if you want to say something that does not occur18 in any question, just feel free to tell us …
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1 both … and→… as well as …
2 many a →a good/great many
3 destined → usu in passive +for – designate, dedicate in advance, to set apart for a specified purpose or goal
4 fatigue→ physical or nervous exhaustion; tiredness; weakness; low energy
5 accompany→ to go with someone as an escort
6 stumble→ trip in walk or running, walk unsteadily; fall;
7 properly→correctly; in a suitable manner; right
8 predicament→ difficult situation, perplexing, jam, mess, dilemma
9 disesteeming→disregard; disrespect; defiance
10 collision →crash; run into someone; accident
11 reverse → drive backwards
12 obstacle→ barrier; handicap; problem; difficulty
13 the unco guide →the beloved
14 indicate →show the intention to change direction by flashing a yellow light at the car
15 give a damn about it→ don’t care at all
16 congested→ overcrowded; full of …
17 coexistence →live side by side but not together
18 occur→ appear, arise; to be mentioned
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台北，每週六 (2005年6月起)
Taipei, Saturday, Weekly
from June, 2005
Place：
viewtopic.php?t=15
高雄，每月最後一個週日 (2007年4月起)
Kaohsiung, Final Sunday, Monthly
from April, 2007
Place：
viewtopic.php?t=15
