I heard a story recently that teaches us how to distinguish between Chinese and Taiwanese. It can also give us a sense of the special qualities of Taiwanese.
The story involves a mainlander who had lived in Taiwan for many years. Several years ago he made a trip back to his old hometown in China to visit relatives. The restaurant in his hometown had two sections. One was specifically designated for foreigners, and the food and drink within were expensively priced. The other section was for the use of the local Chinese, and the prices inside were much cheaper. This mainlander, thinking to himself that he spoke the local dialect, walked through the door for Chinese people. But when he sat down and prepared to order, the waiter told him to move next door to the area for foreigners. He answered, "I'm from this country!"
"No! You are a foreigner," said the waiter.
"How can you say I'm not from this country?" asked the man.
"You're not from this country because you are smiling. My guess is that you're from Taiwan!"
Taiwanese are a smiling people, and after living in Taiwan for a long time, mainlanders will smile too. This is because Taiwanese are by nature warm and honest, and also because they already enjoy democratic freedom. They don't have to live day in and day out in an autocratic political environment full of terror.
We eagerly anticipate building a country full of lively joy, well-being, and freedom on this beautiful island in which smiles will be seen and laughter heard everywhere.
Once, a German missionary, who had lived in Japan for many years, came to Taiwan for a vacation. I asked him about his impression of Taiwan and he said that in comparison with the Japanese, Taiwanese are less restrained and more natural. He felt that in Taiwan he had a sense of being at home, free and at ease. For this reason he liked Taiwan very much. Taiwanese treat others in a genuine manner and this is a quality we should cherish.
A nation with the qualities of being joyful and genuine has extremely valuable spiritual assets. In modern times, with everyone doing his utmost to pursue technological and economic development, people's spirits have gradually become more materialistic. Values have been twisted, and utilitarianism reigns. Many people's moods rise and fall with the fluctuations of the stock market. The better off the Taiwanese are materially, the less they smile.
For this reason, we should return to our original selves, rediscovering both our value as people and the meaning of life, and recovering the smiles we originally had as Taiwanese. I only hope that Taiwanese will always be a smiling people. Smiling causes people to draw closer together and interact harmoniously. It is the real envoy of peace.
We look forward to the day when Chinese will also have smiles on their faces. One day they will obtain real democratic freedom, either because their leaders give it to them or because they prove that they are willing to strive ceaselessly for freedom and democracy. At that time, Taiwanese and Chinese as well as the other people of the world will smile together. Scenes of joy throughout the world will appear before the eyes of all mankind.
The smiles of the people are like brilliantly colored flowers blossoming in the wilderness. How beautiful it would be to see the leaders of every nation strolling in just such a natural flower garden. Why wouldn't they be happy to do so?
Reverend William Lo is secretary-general of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan.
Translated by Ethan Harkness
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