Do’s and Don’ts in Taiwan: Local Etiquette Tips for Students, Expats and First-Time Visitors
Taiwan is friendly, safe and easy to enjoy, but daily life still has its own local rules. Most Taiwanese people will not get angry if a foreigner makes a small mistake, but learning a few basic habits will help you avoid awkward moments, show respect, and settle into life in Taiwan much faster.
This guide explains the most useful do’s and don’ts in Taiwan, especially for exchange students, language students, interns and expats living in Taipei for the first time.
Take Off Your Shoes When Entering Someone’s Home
One of the first customs foreigners notice in Taiwan is removing shoes before entering a home. Many apartments have a small entrance area where you leave your outdoor shoes and change into indoor slippers. If you are visiting a Taiwanese friend, landlord, host family or shared apartment, always pause at the doorway and check what other people are doing.
This habit is partly about cleanliness. Taipei streets can be wet during rainy season, and people do not want outdoor dirt carried into the living room or bedroom. In some homes, there may also be separate bathroom slippers, so do not wear those back into the main living area.
Give and Receive Items With Both Hands
When handing over money, documents, business cards, gifts or even your ARC at an office counter, using both hands is considered more polite. This is especially useful when dealing with landlords, university staff, bank clerks or older people.
You do not need to make it dramatic. A simple two-handed gesture shows that you are paying attention and treating the exchange seriously. This small habit is also useful when signing a rental contract, paying a deposit, opening a bank account or checking into your student housing.
Respect MRT Rules and Priority Seats
Taipei’s MRT is clean, efficient and one of the easiest ways to get around the city. To keep it that way, Taiwan has stricter public transport etiquette than many Western countries. Do not eat, drink, chew gum or chew betel nut after entering the paid MRT area. The Tourism Administration also explains that no drinks, food or chewing gum are allowed within the yellow line in front of the ticket gate.
You should also be careful with the dark blue priority seats. These seats are reserved for elderly passengers, pregnant women, people with disabilities, people carrying young children, and anyone who may need to sit. Even if the train is not full, many locals prefer to leave them open.
Stand on the Right Side of the Escalator
In Taipei MRT stations, shopping malls and department stores, people usually stand on the right side of the escalator and leave the left side open for people walking. This is not always followed perfectly, but it is still a useful habit, especially during rush hour.
If you are new to Taiwan, this small rule helps you blend into local commuting life. Taipei can feel very calm even when crowded because most people follow these unspoken movement patterns.
Be Careful When Crossing the Road
Taiwan has improved pedestrian safety in recent years, and Taipei City states that pedestrians have priority at crosswalks. Still, as a new arrival, you should stay alert. Scooters, buses and turning cars can come close, especially at busy intersections, night markets and smaller alleys.
Do not assume every driver will stop just because you are on a crosswalk. Look both ways, watch for turning scooters, and avoid walking while distracted by your phone. This is especially important around Taipei Main Station, Gongguan, Shida, Ximending and other busy student areas.
Compliment the Food
Taiwanese people are proud of their food culture, and for good reason. Night markets, breakfast shops, beef noodle restaurants, dumpling shops, hot pot, bubble tea and local bento stores are part of everyday life. If someone takes you to a local place, showing appreciation is a great way to connect.
A useful Mandarin phrase is hěn hǎo chī — 很好吃 — which means “very delicious.” You can use it when eating with classmates, landlords, host families or local friends. Food is one of the easiest ways to build relationships in Taiwan.
Don’t Stick Chopsticks Upright in Your Rice
This is one of the most important dining taboos in Taiwan. Do not leave chopsticks standing upright in a bowl of rice. It resembles incense sticks used in offerings for the dead, so it can feel unlucky or disrespectful.
When you are not using your chopsticks, place them across your bowl, on a chopstick rest, or on the side of your plate. This is a small detail, but locals will notice that you understand basic table manners.
Don’t Open Gifts Immediately Unless Invited
In many Western cultures, opening a gift in front of the giver shows excitement. In Taiwan, people often wait until later. Opening a gift immediately can sometimes feel too direct, especially in more traditional settings.
If someone gives you a gift, accept it with both hands, say thank you, and follow their lead. If they encourage you to open it, then it is fine. This applies to small gifts from classmates, landlord welcome gifts, souvenirs, or holiday presents.
Don’t Treat Business Cards Casually
If someone gives you a business card, do not immediately stuff it into your back pocket. In Taiwan, business cards can be treated as an extension of the person’s professional identity. Take a moment to look at it before putting it away neatly.
This matters if you are meeting a landlord, school representative, internship contact, recruiter or business owner. You do not need to overthink it, but avoid folding the card, writing on it without permission, or putting it somewhere disrespectful.
Don’t Use the Number Four Carelessly in Sensitive Situations
The number four is considered unlucky by many people in Taiwan because its pronunciation sounds similar to the word for death in Mandarin. Not everyone is superstitious, especially younger people, but it is still better to be careful in hospitals, funerals, medical conversations or when giving gifts.
You may notice that some buildings skip the fourth floor or avoid room numbers with too many fours. As a foreigner, nobody expects you to know every tradition, but understanding this custom helps you avoid making jokes that feel uncomfortable.
Don’t Throw Away Your Receipts Too Quickly
In Taiwan, many receipts are part of the Uniform Invoice Lottery. The Ministry of Finance publishes winning numbers every two months, and some receipts can win cash prizes. This is why cashiers often ask if you want your receipt, even for small purchases at convenience stores.
If you live in Taiwan, keep your receipts or use an e-invoice app so you can check them later. It is a small part of local life, and it can be fun when you first move here.
Don’t Call Someone Over With Your Palm Facing Up
In Taiwan, waving someone over with your palm facing up and fingers curling toward you can feel rude or too direct. A more polite gesture is to keep your palm facing down and move your fingers gently toward yourself.
This is especially useful in restaurants, classrooms, offices and shared housing situations. You can also simply smile and say “不好意思” — bù hǎo yì si — which means “excuse me.”
Useful Guides for Living in Taiwan
If you are moving to Taiwan for study, work or a short-term stay, these guides can help you settle in faster:
Moving to Taiwan Soon?
Learning local etiquette is only one part of settling in. You also need the right neighborhood, a practical commute, and housing that works for your school or internship schedule.
Browse furnished rooms, shared apartments and student-friendly rentals on My Room Abroad before you arrive in Taiwan.
