Why do Taiwanese people always say 'Thank you' and 'Excuse me'?

When first arriving in Taiwan, many foreigners notice that Taiwanese people frequently say 'Thank you' (謝謝) and 'Excuse me'/'Sorry' (不好意思). When buying a drink, you say thank you; when getting out of a taxi, you might also say thank you. If you want to pass through a crowd, you first say 'Excuse me'. When asking for directions, asking a store clerk for help, or interrupting someone, you often start with 'Excuse me'. Sometimes, even when it's not their fault, Taiwanese people will still say 'Excuse me' first. Upon hearing this for the first time, one might find it strange: Why the constant thanks? Why the constant apologies? Do they really feel sorry? In reality, in Taiwan, 'Thank you' and 'Excuse me' often go beyond their literal meanings of gratitude and apology. They function more like lubricants for daily interactions, making conversations smoother and maintaining a polite distance between people. For instance, 'Excuse me' (不好意思) doesn't necessarily mean one has done something wrong. When you want to ask for directions, you can say: 'Excuse me, how do I get to the MRT station?' If you want someone to move aside, you can say: 'Excuse me, may I pass?' If you need a store clerk to help you find a size, confirm a price, or repeat something, you can also start with: 'Excuse me, I'd like to ask...' Here, 'Excuse me' is closer in meaning to 'May I bother you for a moment?' It makes a request sound less abrupt and less like a command. For those learning Chinese, it's a very practical opening phrase. 'Thank you' (謝謝) is similar. Taiwanese people don't always say thank you because the other person did something significant. Sometimes, it's just the store clerk handing you a drink, the driver taking you to your destination, a passerby giving you directions, or someone holding the door for you. You can say thank you for all of these. This kind of 'thank you' sometimes serves to conclude a small interaction. It signifies: 'I've received your help, and I acknowledge this interaction.' Even for very minor things, saying thank you in Taiwan usually doesn't seem excessive; instead, it makes you appear polite. In service situations, these two phrases appear even more frequently. If an item is out of stock, a store clerk might say: 'Excuse me, this is currently unavailable.' If the checkout machine is slow, the clerk might say: 'Excuse me, please wait a moment.' If a customer didn't hear clearly, the clerk might say: 'Excuse me, let me repeat that for you.' This doesn't necessarily mean the clerk made a big mistake, but rather makes the service tone sound more courteous. Customers can also respond similarly, for example: 'Excuse me, could I have a bag?' or 'Excuse me, I'd like to change it to iced.' Compared to directly saying 'I want a bag' or 'I want it iced,' this sounds much gentler. When refusing someone, 'Excuse me' is also very useful. In Taiwan, directly saying 'No' can sometimes sound too harsh. When encountering sales pitches, surveys, invitations, or requests you don't want to accept, many people will say: 'Excuse me, I don't need it, thank you.' or 'Excuse me, I'm busy today.' This isn't about lacking assertiveness, but rather a gentler way of refusing. For foreigners, this phrase is very practical because it's clear without being too blunt. However, if you truly don't want something, it's best not to just say 'Excuse me'; adding 'I don't need it, thank you' or 'I'll pass for now' makes your intention clearer. Taiwanese people's frequent use of these polite phrases is also related to their habit of avoiding awkwardness and conflict. Many Taiwanese people prefer not to be too direct initially when interacting with strangers, elders, teachers, store clerks, or unfamiliar colleagues. Starting with 'Excuse me' can ease the atmosphere; ending with 'Thank you' provides a comfortable conclusion to the interaction. However, 'Excuse me' is not a panacea. If you actually bump into someone, damage their property, are significantly late, or cause them a clear loss, you cannot simply brush it off with a light 'Excuse me.' In such cases, it's more appropriate to say 'I'm sorry' (對不起) or 'I'm truly sorry' (真的很抱歉) and explain how you will make amends. In summary: For minor disturbances, small requests, or gentle reminders, you can say 'Excuse me' (不好意思). If you've genuinely caused trouble or loss, you should say 'I'm sorry' (對不起) or 'Apologies' (抱歉). When receiving help, service, or kindness, you can say 'Thank you' (謝謝). If you've just arrived in Taiwan and are unsure how to start, you can memorize a few safe phrases. When asking for directions: 'Excuse me, how do I get to the MRT station here?' When asking to pass: 'Excuse me, may I pass?' When refusing a sales pitch: 'Excuse me, I don't need it, thank you.' When asking a store clerk for help: 'Excuse me, could you please take a look?' When receiving help: 'Thank you.' These phrases are not difficult but are very practical in Taiwan. Often, your Chinese doesn't need to be perfect; as long as you use these polite expressions correctly, people will usually feel that you respect their way of interaction. 'Thank you' and 'Excuse me' may seem like simple Chinese phrases, but they embody important interpersonal communication norms in daily Taiwanese life. 'Excuse me' can make a request less abrupt; 'Thank you' can provide a good ending to an interaction. Therefore, living in Taiwan involves not just learning the translation of these two phrases, but gradually understanding when to use them, with what tone, and how they make daily life more courteous and gentle.