It’s not easy being an ambassador.
No, I’m not affiliated with the United Nations. No, I’m not a recognized delegate of any nation, group, sect, or what have you. I mean to imply that I don’t come across very many Americans (or other Caucasians) in Taiwan, so going out in public often results in many people looking at me in wonder.
I am, for all intents and purposes, the face of America for many Taiwanese people. It’s not uncommon for me to go into a store or restaurant or simply walk down the street and have people, especially little children, stare at me in wonder. I don’t doubt that I am the first white person many of those little children have seen as they run back to their parents shouting “Mama! An American!”
It’s not an easy responsibility to live with, I must tell you. Will their impressions of me form their overall impression of other Americans and caucasians? Will they wonder if all Americans are out of shape and have slightly unkempt beards? Are they looking at me with anger or simple wonder? Do they already have preconceived notions about me based on other Americans they’ve seen or are familiar with (e.g. Bush)?
These are interesting questions to ponder. I’m not implying that the Taiwanese have not been friendly – they have. I’ll touch on a few personal experiences and the friendliness of the Taiwanese people on another day. Just know that it’s not easy being the face of an entire nation on a daily basis.
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