As you may have guessed, last time's short list didn't cover everything.
So, without further ado...
大
That's the character for 'big'. It's said, "da", with a descending tone. Not condescending. Descending. You know the way you speak? Most of you probably start a sentence off at a higher pitch, then get lower as you come to the end. Think of going from that high pitch to the lower, finishing pitch, but in one sound/word.
It looks like a guy with his arms spread really wide, doesn't it?
It's good to know.
小
That's 'small'. It's said something like (shiao), with a descending, then rising tone. Do the falling tone, like for the last character, then think of the way you end a question. You know the way your pitch goes up? Do that right after the falling tone. It's all done on that one little word.
It's good to know those two characters. When you go to order food, the server might ask you whether you want a large or small order, or they might be listed on the menu.
Also, you could recognize the name of my school, which is 台大 (台 is short for 台灣 - that's Taiwan, and 大 is short for 大學 - literally, big school/learning).
And yes, the tones do matter. If you say da with the falling, rising pitch that's used in 小, it means "hit", "punch", "fight", or play. So probably, you don't want to say that. If someone asks what you want, and you tell them you want a punch, what do you think might happen? heheh.
And if you say 小 with the falling pitch, it could mean "smile", or "laugh". Getting either of those is better than a punch, but it will not get you food, or clothing, or whatever else might have different sizes.
Alright, that's enough characters for now. You probably think they're a headache. You're right. They are. Those are simple ones.
One thing you will notice right away - people here do not want to get tan. At all. Girls walk under umbrellas when the sun's out (or when it's raining. About the only time they don't use an umbrella is when it's cloudy; probably half the time). People do not go to the beach to tan. (Actually, they don't go to swim, either. So I'm not sure why they go to the beach. But they sure do! Beaches are crowded on weekends.)
Stores are full of whitening agents. So for those of you like me, that is, ghostly pale, you will be greatly envied. If you're a woman, you can probably get a modeling job here.
It's not that they want to look like white people. Not at all! No, it's here like it was everywhere else in the old days - having a tan means you're poor. Farmers are poor. Farmers are out in the sun all day, as are almost all other manual laborers. They're all poor, and they all have tans. Only people who can afford to stay inside are pale. I assume this will change in time, but for now, pale is sexy. Enjoy it while it lasts!
Not a very nice segue at all, but the next thing you'll notice is trash. Actually, it's probably the second thing you'll notice here, after toilets.
First: one might be inclined to ask, "WHERE THE HELL IS THE TRASH CAN?" Or, if you're more patient/polite, you will simply carry your trash around in your hand or pocket for the better part of the day. It's hard to find trash cans. I asked someone why that was, and the explanation I got was,
"So that people don't throw trash all over the place."
Yeah.
When you do find a trash can, there will be recycling next to it. Notice I did not say, "there will be a recycling can next to it." No, there is unfortunately no singular form for recycling can in this country. There are always at least four separate kinds of bins for recyclables. Good luck figuring them out.
One last thing that you'll wish you didn't notice: trash trucks are musical. You see, Taiwan has not yet invented or imported the dumpster. The concept of a large garbage container apparently eludes the best and brightest of Taiwan. So, that means you have to hold onto your garbage until the trash truck shows up. You run out to it, hurl your garbage into it, then go home. It's like watching the stupidest ambush, except that no one is excited.
Oh, and all that sorting of recyclables you did? They all go in the same truck. But it's required by law that you separate them.
And the trucks all play "Für Elise". Not even the whole thing, either. Just the start. Over and over. You can hear its biting, electro-chiming barbs floating across the city everywhere you go.
I'd say I can't stand the tune now...but...check this out!
Gotta admit, that's pretty cool.
That's it for now!
