上班族必備軟實力

*Richard has lived in Taiwan for a long time, but he has never been able to get off of Santa’s naughty list.

At home, Christmas decorations go up immediately after Thanksgiving and come down after New Years. In Taiwan, Christmas decorations are generally not put up until Christmas is a few weeks away and they are not taken down until after the lunar new year. The lunar new year doesn’t happen at the same time every year, so you may end up having your Christmas tree up for a very long time. Some businesses have Christmas lights up year round, but then I guess they are not considered to be Christmas lights even though that is exactly what they are.

Have a Joyful Christmas!

Christmas is not an official holiday in Taiwan, which factor alone is enough to amaze and distress many of us who come here from the countries with a Christmas tradition. It seems somehow barbarous and primitive. The kids have to go to school on December 25 unless it is on a weekend. The magical experience of waking up on Christmas morning and excitedly looking for what Santa left is missing.

Christmas isn’t really the same in the US anymore. Nobody gets real trees anymore. They are all plastic. It is better for the environment and easier to take care of, but the smell of pine tree in your living room is something that you will never forget.

One thing that has remained the same over the years and between countries is that we wish each other a peaceful and cheerful holiday. Merry Christmas everybody!