Written by Natalie Kim (Wesleyan University), Student Correspondent for CET Taiwan, Fall 2026
There is no jaywalking in Taipei.
I’ve always associated cities with a bit of chaos. But unlike any American city I’ve ever visited, the crosswalk signals in Taipei are taken quite seriously. When the little pixelated man turns red, no matter if there is a car coming or not, everyone stops and waits patiently until he turns green and starts walking again.
There are strict rules on the subway, too, or 捷運 (jiéyùn) as it’s called in Taiwan. For example, no eating or drinking in the stations. Conversations have to be quiet and you must line up before entering a car or going up the escalator. Although it seems small, I think this pedestrian behavior really exemplifies Taiwanese culture and the casual, easygoing nature of the people here that I’ve met.
During my first week here, I asked my Taiwanese housemate Cedric (靖紘) why no one jaywalks. He simply said it was perhaps because no one is in a hurry. A common phrase in Taiwanese Mandarin is “慢慢來,” (mànmànlái) or literally “slowly come.” It means to take your time. No need to hurry, and even if you’re a couple minutes late, everything will work out fine.
Cedric didn’t mean that the Taiwanese are never late, but that few people are rushing. I think that being in a rush is a very American habit to have. From my experience as a student, employee, or intern in the U.S., there are few opportunities to 慢慢來. My friends and I are fast walkers, and I’m always running late for something. But even in the hustle and bustle of Taipei, pedestrians seem largely unbothered by needing to wait a minute or two to cross the street or take the next train.
This laid-back attitude of the Taiwanese people that I’ve encountered presents a refreshing contrast to the constantly-moving pace of life that I’m accustomed to. It also helps that Taipei is really safe, even late at night. The streets here contain so much culture that can be easily missed when you’re hurrying by, from the countless unique shops and restaurants tucked away in alleys to the beautiful greenery in street medians.
Navigating Taipei thus far has taught me to slow down a bit. I’ve been stopping at crosswalks to look up from my phone and taking my time while making my way to my destination. This has given me the opportunity to pause and appreciate the quieter moments and everyday beauty in city life. To be honest, when I go back to the U.S., I will probably start jaywalking again. But maybe I won’t be in such a rush to get where I’m going that I forget to stay present in the moment that I am in.
