for those who know Mandarin was it worth it?

[akikaki1]

Was it worth the time and effort? How did it affect your life in Taiwan?

[Gryphon]

Was it worth the time and effort? How did it affect your life in Taiwan?

Yes, it's worth learning Chinese...unless you don't mind signing legal documents that you can't read or getting swindled.
It's also easier to talk to people when you can communicate in their language.

[jimipresley]

Was it worth the time and effort? How did it affect your life in Taiwan?

Yes, it's worth learning Chinese...unless you don't mind signing legal documents that you can't read or getting swindled.

I've lived in Taiwan for 11 years, and I've never signed a "legal document" that wasn't translated into English. As for getting "swindled", sorry, hasn't happened yet.

It's also easier to talk to people when you can communicate in their language.

Well, that's reciprocal, isn't it? Anyway, I rarely talk to people I don't know. They don't interest me.

[akikaki1]

Was it worth the time and effort? How did it affect your life in Taiwan?

Yes, it's worth learning Chinese...unless you don't mind signing legal documents that you can't read or getting swindled.

I've lived in Taiwan for 11 years, and I've never signed a "legal document" that wasn't translated into English. As for getting "swindled", sorry, hasn't happened yet.

It's also easier to talk to people when you can communicate in their language.

Well, that's reciprocal, isn't it? Anyway, I rarely talk to people I don't know. They don't interest me.

So for you was it worth while learning mando?

[Deuce Dropper]

Was it worth the time and effort? How did it affect your life in Taiwan?

Yes, it's worth learning Chinese...unless you don't mind signing legal documents that you can't read or getting swindled.

I've lived in Taiwan for 11 years, and I've never signed a "legal document" that wasn't translated into English. As for getting "swindled", sorry, hasn't happened yet.

It's also easier to talk to people when you can communicate in their language.

Well, that's reciprocal, isn't it? Anyway, I rarely talk to people I don't know. They don't interest me.

Fuckin Jimi, always nailing it.

What kind of 'legal documents' are people singing and getting swindled on? NDAs? Rep Agreements? Rental agreements? Work contracts? etc... And if they are important why are you signing them without a lawyer or a translated copy? That is reckless and stupid. This is not a language issue, it is a common sense one.

Regarding the putong-hua, I think most of us study for a while, get to a functional level (where we can handle our daily shit, chat with a cabbie, have a few Mandarin speaking friends, pick up chicks etc...) and then we basically curtail our studies and add to our Mandarin by picking things up as we go along. Sure we'd all love to be fluent but for most of us it isn't a necessity, an asset of course, but a necessity...no.

[jimipresley]

So for you was it worth while learning mando?

Did you read my post?

[akikaki1]

So for you was it worth while learning mando?

Did you read my post?

Still wasn't sure if you thought it was worthwhile lol.

[tommy525]

The problem with learning mando in taiwan is that essentially its not essential you can speak it and therein is quintessentially your problem.

Besides mando f*cks up your english anyway.

Still i cant fathom not speaking and understanding mando and livin on the wan for say ten anos.

[Dragonbones]

Was it worth the time and effort? How did it affect your life in Taiwan?

For me, yes, it was worth it. I love learning languages, and came to Taiwan just to become fluent in Mandarin.
It affected my life greatly -- the ability to converse fluently with locals, the friendships I made in the process, the ability to read signs, packages and menus -- all greatly improved my experience.

[Icon]

Well, it may have been more time than I was willing to invest in a single language but it has made my life in Taiwan easier in every way, since being able to maneuver independently, keep up with what happens around you by yourself and not depend on third parties "understanding" is priceless. Not easy, won't be a fast return investment, but it works so far.