Have you ever left your phone on a restaurant table while ordering food? Or forgotten to zip up your backpack without worrying about it? Welcome to everyday life in Taiwan! Taiwan is generally considered a safe place for travelers. But just how safe is it? Let’s rate it from Level 1 to Level 5!
🎒 Level 1: Your Open Backpack
Forgot to zip up your backpack? Someone might kindly remind you!
🛵Level 2: Scooter Accessories
In many neighborhoods, you might see scooter keys left in the ignition or helmets hanging on scooters. Some people even leave their dashcams on their motorcycles. But don’t take this as a guarantee that nothing will be stolen! And here’s a funny exception: the cleaning cloth hanging on your scooter might mysteriously disappear. 😂
🍜 Level 3: Saving a Seat
At some casual restaurants, locals leave their bags or phones on a table to save a seat while ordering food. Would we recommend doing this? Not really! It’s a local habit you might spot, but keeping your valuables with you is always safer.
👛 Level 4: Lost Your Wallet?
If you lose your wallet, there’s a chance someone will turn it in. Some people do return lost wallets with the cash and ID still inside. Still, there’s no guarantee, so keep your valuables secure!
🏆 Level 5: Feeling Safe, but Staying Smart
Taiwan’s everyday atmosphere can make people feel comfortable walking around, shopping, and exploring. However, pickpocketing can still happen, especially in crowded tourist areas, night markets, and busy stations. Keep your bag zipped and wear it in front of you in crowded places.
🍗 The Real Mystery: What Actually Gets Stolen in Taiwan?
Here’s the funny part. Sometimes, the things people worry less about losing aren’t the things that disappear! Taiwanese people often joke that your phone might be fine, but your dinner might not be.
Things that may mysteriously go missing include:
🍗 Fried chicken or salty crispy chicken left unattended
🪖 Scooter helmets
☂️ Umbrellas
🧽 Cleaning cloths left on scooters
Are these things always stolen? Of course not! But they have become familiar jokes in Taiwanese daily life. Just remember: an unattended item can be mistaken for something that someone is free to take.
You may find the salty crispy chicken you want to eat in the market.
⚠️ One Last Thing: Watch Out for Scams!
Taiwan is generally safe, but scams are still a concern. Be careful with suspicious messages, unexpected payment requests, fake shopping deals, and strangers asking you to transfer money.
Enjoy Taiwan’s relaxed atmosphere, but keep your belongings close and your scam radar switched on! 🐾 That way, you can spend less time worrying and more time enjoying Taiwan’s delicious food and hidden gems.