Stray dog in a bookstore

This stray dog in Taipei County knows how to beat the summer heat! Sneak into a crowded, air-conditioned bookstore! The Taiwanese seem kind to strays letting them roam free. Or might it be better for the Taiwanese to exhibit tough love to the strays, coral them up and prevent them from starving and getting mangy?

Jackets on backwards - Taiwanese on their scooters

I have always found it very interesting that Taiwanese often wear jackets backwards when driving their ubiquitous scooters. I am told that if jackets are worn normally, wind resistance will increase making riding slower and more costly. Could this be seen as an environmental hack? I wonder why no one in Taiwan has designed a jacket that fits on backwards - market opportunity?

Taiwan's Tantilizing TiT Townhouses

I can think of few places in the world besides Taiwan that would market a residential apartment complex entitled "TiT" -- "Town in Town". Are they being coy or just didn't bother to ask any random foreigner what "tit" means? Or to just look it up in the dictionary?

Taiwan's tiny trash tins

Taiwan is one of the most crowded places on earth and yet the garbage bins are about 1/3rd the size of those found in places like Hong Kong or North America. Why? One would think the Taiwanese - who love their island - would learn from overseas and expand the size of cans? Does not seem to match with Taiwan's excellent (world-class) recycling program.

Taiwanese Life Hack - pharmaceuticals

Several American friends who live in Taiwan have related to me that they are able to purchase - purchase OVER THE COUNTER (OTC) that is - drugs that are prescription-only. I am told that the following drugs are indeed also prescription only in Taiwan, but that the pharmacists are rather lax and do indeed sell OTC:

* Nexium - much cheaper in Taiwan than buying apples-to-apples in the USA.

* Lipitor - ditto.

Harold recommends that Westerners visiting Taiwan come with their pharmaceutical bottles or blood tests (showing high choloseterol) and most pharmacists in Taiwan will simply sell to you.

Betel Nut Princesses and the Taiwanese Men Who Love Them

The semi-narcotic betel nut (bin lang) and scantily clad young girls selling it to Taiwanese men. Videos taken in Taipei City.

Taiwan - beetle nut princesses + customers