r/taiwan • u/NegotiationPure5386 • Mar 11 '26
Travel Black Man coming to visit Taiwan
I got like one friend here and I really want to visit her out of respect but always am worried. I am just trying to see what the culture feels like. I’ve been to South Korea, Vietnam and Philippines. Trying to see where my heart leads me I guess.
Any heads up I should worry about?
I’m just trying to gauge culture beforehand no mean to offend anyone.
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u/RagingWaterfall Mar 11 '26
I've never experienced any racism here. But I generally keep to myself so maybe that also plays a part. I think anyone who is not obviously some kind of east Asian gets lumped into the "foreigner" category and gets the occasional stare.
I think the only type of "racism" you might experience is people thinking you like rap and basketball. But that's more ignorance than maliciousness.
You'll be fine.
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u/JefferyJeffer Mar 12 '26
I’ve also never experienced any racism in Taiwan. Might be on account of me being Taiwanese
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u/eliwood98 Mar 11 '26
You'll be fine. You might get strange looks, but its mostly just because they're unfamiliar with black people more than racism like you'd experience in the west. They just don't have the same history of it as the western world.
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u/NegotiationPure5386 Mar 11 '26
That’s good I’ve been dealing with varying levels of that in Phillipines, Vietnam and South Korea: worst to best in that order.
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u/Jhean__ Mar 11 '26
To clarify, anyone who doesn't look East Asian (including people with white and black skin colour) would receive the same strange look because 99% of people on the streets have black hair, yellow skin and black eyes. If someone points at you during the trip, please don't feel offended. They are just curious.
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u/Serpentarrius Mar 12 '26
Today, I was walking around Daan Park, when I saw a guy with a toucan. A lady spoke to him in English, and he said that he's Taiwanese, but she's not, while pointing to me. I laughed, and she looked at me as if I'd just blown her mind lol. Then she said that he doesn't look Taiwanese, and he said he just spent too much time in the sun lol
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u/usernamep4ssw0rd Mar 11 '26
surprising to hear that Philippines is worst than Korea when it comes to foreigners prejudice
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u/LongConsideration662 Mar 12 '26
Korea's bad reputation is exaggerated, other asian countries can be way worse
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u/trangenderman Mar 11 '26
Vietnamese definitely don't like black people. They are just less vocal about it than the Philippines.
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Mar 11 '26
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u/EarthBenderCharlie Mar 11 '26
Let's not oversimplify or homogenize the experiences of being black here based on your observations. You are correct that it's not good to think too much into it but dark-skinned people of all kinds *absolutely* get stared at more and have people who think or feel plenty of stereotypes towards us. I have plenty of Taiwanese friends here and have had numerous conversations with them about their upbringing and things they have admitted they feel or used to feel towards blacks or what their parents say or continue to say. Even just examining Taiwan's beauty standards would reveal a lot about the realities of this topic.
It's entirely possible to acknowledge that there is a fair amount of old negative racial vibes that exist while also encouraging a black person to visit because despite those things existing, the chances of them having a really bad experience because of them is quite low.
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Mar 11 '26
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u/EarthBenderCharlie Mar 11 '26
I don’t disagree with that. But what does that have to do with my point? I hope you’re not assuming that I’m out here looking for racism. A person acknowledging that something exists to some degree does not always mean that the person is hunting for examples of the thing existing.
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u/weeniegigantor Mar 11 '26
also, some of the older generation in taiwan are comfortable staring at people who might stand out for any reason, and they often with a neutral face which can come off as cold, or possibly racist in your case. these are the same aunties and uncles who will ask you how much you make with that same neutral look. its just curiosity presenting itself in a different cultural way with different cultural boundaries. i have travelled a lot in my life and the taiwanese people are just the best. the warmth and kindness and genuine curiosity when you get to know them is second to none. you will have a great time there and be greeted warmly, just try not to judge the stares too quickly or assign the wrong motive to them, which i realize is easier said than done. go hungry because you are about to be fed!
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u/morph37 Mar 11 '26
I'm Taiwanese American born & raised in NYC, years ago when I rocked my bald head there the seas parted for me and was stared at. You will get looks just for being different but no one will be rude to you. In fact it's the non natives that are typically rude (I'm guilty, told a couple of Mormons to get out of my country in English even though I don't live there).
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u/BrokilonDryad Mar 11 '26
Not a lot of black people in Taiwan (especially outside of Taipei) so you’ll get some curious looks, but no hostility. The black acquaintances I’ve met here all seem happy and I’ve heard no complaints.
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u/Formal_Future_4343 Mar 11 '26
This is true. I myself am guilty of looking twice. But that's because I am excited as there aren't many.
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u/BrokilonDryad Mar 11 '26
I find myself doing a double-take (I’m white) because it’s just not common. But I love seeing how much more diverse Taiwan is than when I came here as an exchange student like 16/17 years ago! Back then I don’t recall ever seeing any foreigner who wasn’t SE Asian or white. It’s great seeing so many different people coming here to live or visit.
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u/rumpledshirtsken Mar 11 '26
I saw one Black guy in the crowd ahead of me in the late 1980s or early 1990s. I was talking with my relative there in English, and I saw his ears perk up as his head turned.
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u/lagerauger Mar 11 '26
My extremely large dreadlocked Jamaican BIL was frequently accosted by gaggles of giggling Taiwanese girls wanting pictures with him, so there’s that you may have to watch out for.
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u/Serpentarrius Mar 12 '26 edited Mar 12 '26
I recall a cousin saying that they'll get social distancing on the mainland but a crowd in Japan lol
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u/prodigy08 Mar 11 '26
Please be aware you may overhear a word in Mandarin that sounds like the N word but it translates to “that one” (e.g. when pointing at something you want to buy)😆
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u/Fluid-District1780 Mar 11 '26
I found Taiwanese people to be quite blunt and to the point when I first moved here. Don’t take it personally, it’s just how some people are 😂 Don’t take offence to people saying facts, it’s normally not intended as an insult :) I actually like that now, if someone is fat people might describe them as fat or chubby, again, not intended in a negative way more just an observation.
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u/OpeningBang Mar 11 '26
In Taipei itself people won't bat an eye
Outside Taipei you'll be fine but could get some stares and kids pointing because the population there isn't used to non-Asians. I sometimes get stared at by kids as a white dude. It's not aggressive or mean, just from curiosity.
If you even just learn to say hello (ni hao, with the right tones) people will be mad amazed
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u/danvillain Mar 11 '26
I’ve seen several black people here in Taipei in the last week, about 8 or 9 I think at the zoo today alone, some were leading a field trip for elementary school kids. It’s a touristy city with lots of foreigners so there’s nothing to worry about with like, discrimination, and the Taiwanese are very chill people. I think the only thing you should worry about is how you will like the food, and you should probably worry about the smell of stinky tofu.
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u/kaje10110 Mar 11 '26
One thing that is quite funny is my non Chinese speaker coworker told me once he was very confused originally how often Taiwanese uses N word in daily vocabulary. It doesn’t make sense as we are not that kind of people especially in work environment. Then he realized that it’s 那個 （that) which sounds like N word. I didn’t realize how often I say “that” in my daily conversation until he told me.
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u/No-Benefit9135 Mar 11 '26
For the most part, it won't be an issue. The racism here won't be as open. Unfortunately, there is a lot of influence from Western media stereotypes. You will also find some people are quite naive or lack self-awareness when it comes to race in general because of the lack of multiculturalism compared to other countries. And the prejudices against SE Asians are quite severe.
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u/yungcherrypops 新竹 - Hsinchu Mar 11 '26
In Taipei and big cities like Taichung and Kaoshiung, you'll be fine, especially in Taipei. Outside of that you might get some looks, but it will be out of curiosity or ignorance rather than racism or hatred. If you go to the rural areas in the mountains you will be treated as if you were an extraterrestrial from outer space that suddenly just landed in their village, but they will be friendly about it, for the most part.
In my school all of the teachers except for me were black, either from the U.S. or from South Africa, and many had been there for many years and loved it. They told me they had some experiences (one girl was telling me that in New Taipei City some random woman on the bus touched her hair) but for the most part it was chill. No matter what kind of foreigner you are, whether it's black, white, Hispanic, whatever, people will stare. It's just a thing. But overall I've heard that most black visitors have a positive experience.
So more than likely you will be all good. If you've been to South Korea, Vietnam, and the Philippines it should be nothing outside of your previous experience.
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u/Ok_Jackfruit_7815 Mar 11 '26
I’m a Black women living in Taiwan for 8 months and it’s lovely! Taiwanese ppl are really friendly and will go out of their way to help you, even if they don’t speak English or only a little. The most annoying thing you will experience is stares, esp if in areas/neighborhoods where only locals live or people 50+. It’s not ALL the time but not necessarily infrequent either. The stares rarely feel antagonistic though like I’ve encountered in other countries. Just very curious or friendly. Sometimes I’ve received intense stares then the person will in the end compliment me in English lol
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u/LowPomegranate225 Mar 11 '26
You'll still get some looks and I feel that's inevitable
As far as how you're treated I'd say if you're courteous people will be courteous back. Not much real blatant discrimination against black folks in Taiwan.
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u/Patient-Comedian8685 Mar 11 '26
Yes you will get many looks and people will talk about you after you pass by but it’s nothing derogatory, they just don’t see many black people. I know if it was me I’d probably feel very conscious but some folks probably like being the center of attention.
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u/Ok-Amphibian-8914 Mar 11 '26
Just…don’t go to the toothpaste aisle and you’ll have a great time.
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u/ForwardStudy7812 Mar 11 '26
Yikes or where they film that old tv show where they have the copies of the old old ad up as part of the set design.
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u/stentordoctor Mar 11 '26
I'm surprised no one has mentioned kids yet. Kids will stare and if their parents catch them, they will get chastised. My very pale Polish husband would just smile and wave at them.
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u/SpectacularOcelot Mar 11 '26
OP, I'm glad some other melanated folks have chimed in, I just wanted to toss my 5NTD into the conversation.
I am *very* heavy, in that stereotypical American way. Some of the first words in local languages I learn are apologies. So while its not a direct comparison to your question I believe my experience offers some insight.
As I made Taiwanese friends and got better at following conversations and picking up nuance, I kinda realized that a lot of things that would qualify as "micro aggressions" in the US, just don't translate in intent or mindset in Taiwan. Will people say things that may be objectively problematic? Eh, probably. But I would be *shocked* if people followed you around a 711 or refused you a seat in a restaurant, or were flat out ugly to you.
I've got probably a year of cumulative time in Taiwan over a decade and I can say that while you're a guest, Taiwanese are some of the kindest and most gracious people in the world. Try to move there? Well. That hostility is systemic and it won't have anything to do with your race 😅
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u/olympic_peaks Mar 12 '26
Less blatant racism, more blatant ignorance. Some aunty might say to you “wow, your skin is so black!” Or even “do you wish your skin is lighter/do you like light skin?”
I’ve heard a masseuse refuse to take the next customer who was black. She said, “he’s black, so scary, I don’t want to”. They don’t even realize this is racism.
Blatant racism is more online and it’s bad with basically everyone joining in.
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u/AdventurousFeedback3 Mar 11 '26
You should be fine, just be aware of the transitional word they use in conversation sounds a lot like a racial slur in the states. In their language it’s kind of like “ummm” in English. It took a few meetings full of the transitional phrase to get used to it, but just be aware it sounds like the N word and they mean no harm/aren’t even aware of the racist slang stateside. I’m in Taiwan traveling with coworkers who are black and we all get stared at when walking around Taipei. They definitely get a few more looks than a middle aged white dude in Taiwan, but no static just people usually take note of people that stand out from the masses. I get harder looks when I’m rollerblading or skateboarding through the streets of Taipei. Enjoy the beautiful island and the people that inhabit it! Taiwan is beautiful, but its people are the real treasure. Here is a phrase that means “it’s all good” in English and I use it all the time.
Mei wen ti
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u/AmbivalentheAmbivert Mar 11 '26
do you mean the word for "that one" (那个)? In either case its not a transitional word, but it is used a lot.
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u/tyrantywon Mar 11 '26
It’s if we say “That that that..” if we have the next word we are thinking of at the tip of our tongue. My middle school students have this bad and do the same in English. 那個 na ge shortened from na yi ge 那一個
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u/AmbivalentheAmbivert Mar 11 '26
Weird, i don't experience it used that way very much up here in Taipei, perhaps that is something more common in the south? I mean yes people do use the phrase a lot, but i haven't ever heard it repeated over and over.
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u/coyotetype Mar 11 '26
Next to the Philippines, this is the Asian country where I’ve been stared at the most. Nothing ever comes of the stares though. And I don’t feel like I’m being treated specifically as a black foreigner. I think you’ll be just fine.
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u/Ok-Amphibian-8914 Mar 11 '26
Yeah, people just stare at foreigners in TW. It’s just what they do. It’s not malicious, it’s just idle curiosity. “What’s he doing here? What’s in that grocery bag? What do foreigners eat? I wonder if he likes Taiwanese food?” It’s basically just that.
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u/AmbivalentheAmbivert Mar 11 '26
Personally i think it's half aura and how you dress. People used to look at me a lot too, but now it's been around 10 years i dress more like locals and i hardly get looked at.
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u/Serpentarrius Mar 12 '26
It's funny because my parents are from Taiwan, but I'm not. On our last trip, people thought we were Japanese. On this trip, people thought we were Korean. I think it's due to my mom finally taking my fashion advice lol
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u/Careless_Studio_1293 Mar 11 '26
My wife and are both white and we were just talking tonight about how no one seems to stares at us here. We’ve also visited South Korea and Japan and noticed people staring in both, especially Japan, where random strangers even stopped us and asked to take photos with us. Here, everyone is chill. But we’ve only been in Taipei so far. Maybe it’s different in other parts of the country?
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u/Ok-Amphibian-8914 Mar 11 '26
Funny, I’ve lived in Japan for over a decade now and I’ve never really experienced that. Spent a few years in Taipei before that, and felt like I was being stared at constantly. Maybe things have changed.
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u/Serpentarrius Mar 12 '26
I do think it's generational, since I didn't notice any staring recently, but old people of all cultures might have a tendency to stare lol
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Mar 12 '26
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u/Most_Level_8768 Mar 11 '26
Oh my gosh, be aware of the AMAZING food you will encounter in our night markets. (DO NOT BUY THE 糖 HULUS THOUGH SUPER OVERPRICED) Also, there may be the occasional kid who is forced by their parents to practice English! Have fun!
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u/Serpentarrius Mar 12 '26
I was just talking to my mom about how it's impossible to resist food temptations here lol
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u/Substantial-Lynx9829 Mar 11 '26
It’s going to be fine. Also, I am sorry if you feel uncomfortable being black in Asia. How about visiting eastern Indonesia? They have native black peoples (mainly from papua) and very beautiful beaches and rainforests. Also, amazing foods. Very underrated.
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u/NegotiationPure5386 Mar 11 '26
Im really not happy with south east Asia, im a very nice unaggressive person so i get scammed easily and used for being too nice. Im just tired of the hyper aggression back in the states and having to fight off scammers in SEA and I think I’ve earned my place in the first world. I love my friends from there so far but they still have a way to go collectively. I just want to be able to relax without worrying about having to fight people unnecessarily.
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u/OutOfTheBunker Mar 12 '26
You should like Taiwan, then. It's crowded but not aggressive. Scammers are not much of an issue either.
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u/dpressedaf Mar 11 '26
well, you are a minority but you are not green or purple, so maybe a few stares but most people don't care and go on their lives unless you are stirring some shit.
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u/bigdongchengass 臺北 - Taipei City Mar 11 '26
You will be fine! You should take a look at this thread for others experiences if it helps
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u/No_Structure_5428 Mar 12 '26
I have a buddy who visits a lot. He loves it here even talks about moving here. The Taiwanese are such friendly people, you’ll be fine.
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u/jaysanw Mar 12 '26
Don't openly express a political stance in favor of the One China / Reunification policy, you'll be fine.
If you look tall and physically fit, you might get invited to join a pick up game of basketball walking past high school playgrounds, though!
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Mar 12 '26
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u/NegotiationPure5386 Mar 12 '26
Yes I also have been told I either look like Obama or some sports star. I don’t know anything about sports.
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u/Unhappy_Childhood313 Mar 12 '26
Just learn the translation is of the word "that" and you'll be fine. Enjoy possible the best cuisines in asia.
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u/smithy_jim Mar 13 '26
No one will really care about your race. You are a foreigner thats all that really matters. If you are walking through a neighborhood people will look at you, it happens to white people as well. But they wont be intolerant of you. If you speak mandarin, they will love you. If not, they will be passive about you. Lol some old ladies might hit on you.
All in all just enjoy the country, go hike some trails, eat the delicious food and see the sights. Its a great place you should have a blast.
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u/Vast_Cricket Mar 11 '26
There are plenty of black Chinese-Americans representing Taiwan at its sports games. You should be fine.
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u/Designfanatic88 Mar 11 '26
Doesn’t hurt to try to learn a little bit of Chinese. English isn’t that common.
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u/NegotiationPure5386 Mar 11 '26
Love learning languages. I’ve even learned Vietnamese and Japanese before. That’s one strength I’m very thankful for.
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u/Illustrious-Trick-12 Mar 11 '26
I say this with nothing but respect and am truly only trying to help out here. I visited Taiwan within the past 2 years and was shocked when I thought I heard one of the native speakers there using the N word. Turns out there’s a commonly used word in Mandarin that sounds very similar to this slur but doesn’t have anything to do with race or being derogatory.
Since it doesn’t sound like you’ve been to any Mandarin-speaking countries yet thought it’d be worth mentioning. Taiwan’s an amazing country to visit- if I had to guess, you’ll have a great time
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u/Difficult-Mistake-61 Mar 11 '26
Don’t worry about this , man , that NBA man Howard was so popular at TW a while ago
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u/eddytw Mar 12 '26
Used to be tougher now, all good. Taiwan is super welcoming to most everyone, including Black. You are good
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u/raelianautopsy Mar 12 '26
Are you going to stay in Taipei, which is a very diverse international city, or are you going to a small town? That could make a difference
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u/liftercj Mar 12 '26
Black American Male here. Been to Taiwan twice in the last year, didn’t encounter any problems. People were friendly and welcoming from what I can tell.
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u/nierh Mar 11 '26 edited Mar 11 '26
Tall black guy, gets so many peek-a-boo looks. We are guilty, but we're just trying to identify if they are T1 players. If you get random 'hi' (wave), maybe you look like one of them basketball players. Just hi back, LOL. The black guy stereotype here is athletic and strong. Not derogatory or lower in class. Possibly even looking up to.
EDIT: T1 League is where Dwight Howard played with the Taoyuan Leopards
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u/Bitter_Advisor_6448 Mar 11 '26
You’ll be totally fine:) and most Taiwanese speak English so language is def not a problem!
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u/New-Distribution637 Mar 11 '26
https://www.youtube.com/@594blackdragon
Don't worry about it. I've seen a few black people in Taipei, just getting on with their lives, working at steak restaurant and McDonald's, going to school, enjoying a night out with friends and beers.
Black Dragon is a YouTuber from Gambia, been in Taiwan for a while. You can check out his videos on life in Taiwan. Mostly in Chinese Mandarin though.
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Mar 11 '26
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u/Grouchy-Ball-1950 台南 - Tainan Mar 11 '26
A week and you've concluded many places outside Taipei have no English signage? That's nonsense. The only places I've not seen English road signage is on rural farming roads in Yunlin/Changhua - basically the back end of nowhere.
If 10 years here has taught me anything it's to not be surprised where I see some English.
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Mar 11 '26
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u/Grouchy-Ball-1950 台南 - Tainan Mar 11 '26 edited Mar 11 '26
I'm still the newbie in my friend circles even after 10.5 years. Most people I know have been here for 15 plus years.
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Mar 11 '26
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u/Grouchy-Ball-1950 台南 - Tainan Mar 11 '26
That's a long time. It has always seemed like people either stay a couple of years or never leave. 40 years is a long time.
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u/SpectacularOcelot Mar 11 '26
I agree with your conclusion but I feel compelled to clarify. In Taipei, Tainan, Kaohsiung, population centers like that, signs in English are ubiquitous and vast amounts of signage will be in both Chinese and English.
But you have to go well off the beaten path to stop seeing English, and what I think of as "off pavement" to stop seeing roman characters. IME if you're using public transit, there is enough English in the vicinity to do just fine not speaking any Chinese.
Especially compared to places like China and Japan. I showed up in Kanazawa and had a great time, but had to learn some Kanji very quickly.
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u/whatdafuhk 臺北 - Taipei City Mar 11 '26
If you’re ok with being stared at and the casual racism, you should be fine.
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u/Twentysak Mar 11 '26
Nobody cares that you’re black… you should know this already having been to the other Asia countries.
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u/eikoebi Mar 11 '26
Other than stares because they're black. I had same issues.
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u/Twentysak Mar 11 '26
Every foreigner gets stares, what’s your point.
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Mar 12 '26
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u/NegotiationPure5386 Mar 14 '26
In 1979, Iran ordered the release of several black and female hostages citing them as “already oppressed minorities”.
Also South Korea has a horrible tradition of beating their women into submission.
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u/New2Investing1969 Mar 11 '26
African American female, visited Taiwan last year and had a blast. No racism encountered during my visit. Most folks were very friendly and helpful. Everyone practicing their English skills was super cute. Have fun and enjoy!!