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The March, 2013 ISSUE IS OUT NOW!
Letter From The Publishers
Although my spoken Chinese is more than sufficient, I have always enjoyed walking into any Subway sandwich shop and ordering in English, just because I can. There's something satisfying about putting in a complex English sandwich order and not having the Taiwanese service staff bat an eye in confusion--often to the surprise of other first-time customers witnessing such scenes.
If current joint efforts by the government, private businesses and citizens bears fruit, Subway will soon no longer be an exception in Taiwan. As this month's cover story notes, the central and local governments' work to implement and promote the English Service Emblem program around the nation over the past few years is aimed at making this a more international, English-friendly, foreigner-friendly place for residents and visitors alike. Being a long-time consultant for this program in Taichung and elsewhere myself, it has been enjoyable to experience first-hand the efforts of enthusiastic participants, from English-speaking taxi drivers and night-market noodle stands to sophisticated international medical-care facilities designed to serve foreign guests.
Naturally, the cover article focuses specifically on our own city, which topped all other Taiwan cities and counties in the latest round of English Service Emblem inspection results. As this magazine has noted many times, Taichung has always been one of the island's most international urban centers and continues to move rapidly in that direction.
It is my hope that this magazine will continue to be a part of this essential effort, and that you'll use it to discover the many, increasing facets of international, English-friendly Taichung.
Enjoy your start to spring!
Douglas Habecker
Co-Publisher |
