A few Taiwanese habits carry more meaning than first appears — shaped by folk belief, social comfort, and a wary respect for the sea.

Knocking Before Entering a Hotel Room

Before entering a hotel room, it is common to see people knock on the closed doors before they are opened. This is a folk custom rooted in the belief that empty spaces may be occupied by wandering spirits. Knocking announces human arrival politely and asks the spirits to vacate.

Karaoke with Private Rooms

Taiwanese karaoke (KTV) is overwhelmingly a private-room experience, not the open-stage format common in Western countries. Groups book a room by the hour, which comes equipped with a large screen, a catalogue of tens of thousands of songs including Western and Mandopop titles, a touchscreen song-queuing console, and often food and drinks service. The format removes the performance anxiety of singing before strangers, making KTV accessible to people of all abilities, and it is a genuinely popular social activity across all age groups — from university students to company colleagues to family gatherings. Street-side and MRT booths also exist for those struck by a sudden urge to sing.

Why Taiwanese Rarely Swim at the Beach

Taiwan is an island entirely surrounded by ocean, yet public sea swimming is relatively uncommon. The main reasons are practical: powerful rip currents along the east coast, sudden typhoon swells, and a coastline that in many areas lacks the gently shelving sandy beaches suited to casual bathing. There is also a cultural dimension — a historical association of the sea with danger and uncertainty. The result is that beaches draw sightseers and surfers, but the mass beach-swimming culture familiar to Australians or Brazilians is largely absent.