Why this forum is unique, no Emperors New Clothes syndrome

[Winston]

Hi all,
I just realized something today. This forum is probably one of the few out there that isn't governed by political correctness or the "Emperor's New Clothes" syndrome.

On other forums, there is a certain standard of political correctness that if you violate, will get you flamed, condemned and even banned. And this is so even if what you say is actually TRUE. Thus, most forums will place political correctness above the truth if the two come into conflict.

In every society, there are certain ugly shameful things that are TRUE, but you aren't supposed to talk about them or point them out, lest you be condemned, seen as a freak, ostracized, or attacked.

For example, in the US there are double standards against men. Women can hit men, but men can't hit women. Women can bash men in the media, but men can't bash women. And blacks can bash whites, but whites can't bash blacks. These are unspoken rules that everyone knows. But if someone points them out or complains about them, that person will be condemned and made out to be a "bad person" or a freak.

Also, people are anti social, paranoid of strangers, do not talk to strangers unless it is business-related, and women are stuck up and hard to meet. One can give a bazillion real life examples of this. But of course, if you point them out you will be condemned and seen as a freak.

In Russia, people are generally super duper stingy. I and others have given many many specific real life examples. But of course, Russians will never admit to this, and deny it. It's another truth that is taboo to mention.

And in the Philippines, lying is considered normal and acceptable. Morals are not so important, nor is there honor in being "right". Instead, whoever pays you or has the money control the rules and what's right, not some universal objective standard. In other words, "might makes right". Most people here have a survivor mentality, and do not live according to principles. And most aren't that bright, though they are very nice. Efficiency and logic are severely lacking here as well. There is no effort to try to improve things or make things better, including food. Everyone knows these things at a subconscious level at least, but they are in denial about it. And of course, you aren't supposed to point them out. It would be a big taboo to do so.

These are all examples of the Emperor's New Clothes syndrome, which governs most forums, except this one. And that's why this forum is unique. Here you do not have to be politically correct or fear the Emperor's New Clothes syndrome. Instead, you can call a spade a spade.

I hope you all appreciate that.

I am a truth seeking and hate biases, political correctness, BS and lies. That's what makes me refreshing, and that's how you know you can trust me. My close friends will tell you the same about me.

No one is 100 percent objective of course, but I would say that I am more so than most are.

[jamesbond]

Your right about certain things being taboo to talk about in various countries around the world. Like you said, in America people are paranoid of strangers (women are especially paranoid of men). People don't talk to strangers unless it's for asking directions, or asking what time it is. A lot of people in America don't even know who their neighbors are! Bizarre social conditons indeed! If you bring any of this up to someone, they will probably deny it exists, or just say "well people are like that everywhere" (which we know is not true).

[momopi]

The Labor Standards Law (2001) of Taiwan specify that the maximum number of work hours is 44 regular hours per week, and no more than 84 hours every two weeks.

I know for a fact that many of my college friends who returned to Taiwan, is working well over 50 hours per week. They're on salary and it's a violation of labor laws. But nobody complain or sue their boss, because doing so would mean losing their job. Finding another decent paying job in Taiwan is difficult, and if people knew you sued your prior employer, nobody will hire you.

[Winston]

The Labor Standards Law (2001) of Taiwan specify that the maximum number of work hours is 44 regular hours per week, and no more than 84 hours every two weeks.

I know for a fact that many of my college friends who returned to Taiwan, is working well over 50 hours per week. They're on salary and it's a violation of labor laws. But nobody complain or sue their boss, because doing so would mean losing their job. Finding another decent paying job in Taiwan is difficult, and if people knew you sued your prior employer, nobody will hire you.

W: But if a Taiwanese employer fires someone and that person is resentful, wouldn't they use the violation of labor laws to sue, since at that point they'd have nothing to lose?

How would people find out if you sued someone? Does it go into some record?

[momopi]

The Labor Standards Law (2001) of Taiwan specify that the maximum number of work hours is 44 regular hours per week, and no more than 84 hours every two weeks.

I know for a fact that many of my college friends who returned to Taiwan, is working well over 50 hours per week. They're on salary and it's a violation of labor laws. But nobody complain or sue their boss, because doing so would mean losing their job. Finding another decent paying job in Taiwan is difficult, and if people knew you sued your prior employer, nobody will hire you.

W: But if a Taiwanese employer fires someone and that person is resentful, wouldn't they use the violation of labor laws to sue, since at that point they'd have nothing to lose?

How would people find out if you sued someone? Does it go into some record?

Ever watch Taiwan news? Like 20 channels trying to dig news to reprot on a small island? Cop found sleeping at the wheel at 7am is major news for rest of the day.

When you file a lawsuit, the documents are "public". Courts overseas don't award the kind of huge pay-off's that American courts do. So yes you can file a lawsuit in Taiwan and get some back pay, but then you're still out of a job.

[gmm567]

And in the Philippines, lying is considered normal and acceptable. Morals are not so important, nor is there honor in being "right". Instead, whoever pays you or has the money control the rules and what's right, not some universal objective standard. In other words, "might makes right". Most people here have a survivor mentality, and do not live according to principles. And most aren't that bright, though they are very nice. Efficiency and logic are severely lacking here as well. There is no effort to try to improve things or make things better, including food. Everyone knows these things at a subconscious level at least, but they are in denial about it. And of course, you aren't supposed to point them out. It would be a big taboo to do so.

[Winston]

And in the Philippines, lying is considered normal and acceptable. Morals are not so important, nor is there honor in being "right". Instead, whoever pays you or has the money control the rules and what's right, not some universal objective standard. In other words, "might makes right". Most people here have a survivor mentality, and do not live according to principles. And most aren't that bright, though they are very nice. Efficiency and logic are severely lacking here as well. There is no effort to try to improve things or make things better, including food. Everyone knows these things at a subconscious level at least, but they are in denial about it. And of course, you aren't supposed to point them out. It would be a big taboo to do so.

W: What do you mean "what is your opinion on this, Winston"? I wrote that. It's pretty self-explanatory. What is your question about it?

[Winston]

And in the Philippines, lying is considered normal and acceptable. Morals are not so important, nor is there honor in being "right". Instead, whoever pays you or has the money control the rules and what's right, not some universal objective standard. In other words, "might makes right". Most people here have a survivor mentality, and do not live according to principles. And most aren't that bright, though they are very nice. Efficiency and logic are severely lacking here as well. There is no effort to try to improve things or make things better, including food. Everyone knows these things at a subconscious level at least, but they are in denial about it. And of course, you aren't supposed to point them out. It would be a big taboo to do so.

W: What do you mean "what is your opinion on this, Winston"? I wrote that. It's pretty self-explanatory. What is your question about it?

I was venting when I said that, but it is true to some degree. For example, Dianne's mom never lectures her or her sisters on any right or wrong, no matter what they do. If Dianne does something wrong, no one says anything about it or tells her not to do that. If her mom tries to scam someone, Dianne also never tells her mom "Mom, that's wrong. You shouldn't do that." They just let them do it.

That's totally different from my family, where right and wrong are strict and mean everything. Wrong causes extreme guilt, and Taiwanese people are quick to try to fix it if a wrong was done.

[gmm567]

You did write that? Sorry, I didn't realize that-- I thought someone else was commenting on life in the Philipines.


So since it was you who wrote ( and yes I do realize you are a truth seeker), let me ask, does that get you down/bother you. Do you find it to be a culture shock for you? Are those things eating at you and making you hate the philipines?

I lived in London for 6 months (before Thatcher) and the lack of enterprising spirit there really got to me. Horrible customer service / lack of vigor and imporvement in the economy. I wanted to escape! I wanted to get back to the United States where things are done well--and even the waitresses are pleasant to their customers.

[Winston]

The Labor Standards Law (2001) of Taiwan specify that the maximum number of work hours is 44 regular hours per week, and no more than 84 hours every two weeks.

I know for a fact that many of my college friends who returned to Taiwan, is working well over 50 hours per week. They're on salary and it's a violation of labor laws. But nobody complain or sue their boss, because doing so would mean losing their job. Finding another decent paying job in Taiwan is difficult, and if people knew you sued your prior employer, nobody will hire you.

W: But if a Taiwanese employer fires someone and that person is resentful, wouldn't they use the violation of labor laws to sue, since at that point they'd have nothing to lose?

How would people find out if you sued someone? Does it go into some record?

Ever watch Taiwan news? Like 20 channels trying to dig news to reprot on a small island? Cop found sleeping at the wheel at 7am is major news for rest of the day.

When you file a lawsuit, the documents are "public". Courts overseas don't award the kind of huge pay-off's that American courts do. So yes you can file a lawsuit in Taiwan and get some back pay, but then you're still out of a job.

W: I've tried to watch Taiwan news, but I don't understand it. The mandarin is fast and complex. I only know basic mandarin. But it does look like they are reporting on trivial uninteresting things. I wonder why they don't do a story on me and call it "unusual Taiwanese people that don't fit the mold"? I did email a Taiwanese news website about me and my life and this site, but they never respond.

[Winston]

You did write that? Sorry, I didn't realize that-- I thought someone else was commenting on life in the Philipines.


So since it was you who wrote ( and yes I do realize you are a truth seeker), let me ask, does that get you down/bother you. Do you find it to be a culture shock for you? Are those things eating at you and making you hate the philipines?

I lived in London for 6 months (before Thatcher) and the lack of enterprising spirit there really got to me. Horrible customer service / lack of vigor and imporvement in the economy. I wanted to escape! I wanted to get back to the United States where things are done well--and even the waitresses are pleasant to their customers.

W: It doesn't get me down. It just annoys me. Did you see the other thread about whores getting angry when you don't give them free undeserved money or gifts? But fortunately, anger subsides in me quickly. It's a Piscean trait.

It doesn't make me hate the Philippines. You forget all the hot girls I hang out with and bed too. I have experiences and encounters here that make me feel like I'm in a dream or that "this is too good to be true, she's soooooo HOT!" leaving me in perpetual excitement. I'll post some pictures sometime.

Anyhow, occasionally there are exceptions. Last night I talked to a door girl that remembers me from my first wild night here two years ago, and she agreed with a lot of my observations and thought it was silly that bar girls here treat foreigners like they have unlimited cash and are Santa Clauses and are always looking for free things.

I find it hard to believe such things about London. In British movies and TV shows, people seem friendly and campy. And the British travelers I've met seem so educated, friendly, and cultured. I wish I could go there and experience it.

[momopi]

W: I've tried to watch Taiwan news, but I don't understand it. The mandarin is fast and complex. I only know basic mandarin. But it does look like they are reporting on trivial uninteresting things. I wonder why they don't do a story on me and call it "unusual Taiwanese people that don't fit the mold"? I did email a Taiwanese news website about me and my life and this site, but they never respond.

If you really want that kind of publicity, the first thing you'd need to do is to build a web site in traditional Chinese, and market it toward Taiwanese audience. If you gain some fame, the reporters might come after you.

Generally speaking, PH is not a top destination for Taiwanese men seeking women. Given choice, Taiwanese men would opt for Vietnamese women:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnamese ... _in_Taiwan
"As early as 2001, Vietnamese women composed 49% of all foreign brides in Taiwan."

http://www.arenaonline.org/docu/2007%25 ... Taiwan.doc
"There are 76,780 people (spouse) come from Vietnam and almost 99.99% are female. The second are come from Indonesia, 26,206 people. Philippines spouse number is 6,123 people."

The perception is that Vietnamese girls are more conservative, hard-working, family-orientated with East-Asian family values, and make better wives. They don't want indolent women who'd hit up strangers for cash, that kind of girl is not wife material no matter how good the packaging is.