No, She's Not Taiwanese

I've commented before on how as a foreigner learning Taiwanese (instead of Mandarin), the reactions I get from the Taiwanese people are varied, though also predictable. For example, a lot of people will guess right away that I am a missionary, because it is typically only the missionaries that make the extra effort to learn Taiwanese.

Another reaction that is common (if Eileen isn't present) is for the person to say, "Oh, your wife must be Taiwanese!" And, for the 153rd time I respond, "No, she's not. She's Canadian like me." They assume that the only reason a foreigner would learn Taiwanese is to be able to speak to his Taiwanese wife's relatives (especially grandparents).

I love all the special reactions I get when I speak Taiwanese. At the very least it elicits smiles and warms the heart, both mine, and hopefully that of the listener.