Top five tips

Advice from our local experts

Word to the wise: When purchasing items from a department store like Sogo, you can ask for a discount, usually 10 percent, if it's the last item, has a minor defect or is part of a large purchase.
1. When dining out, never place your chopsticks straight up in a bowl of rice. It is customary to place bones from meat into a separate bowl or on the tablecloth and good manners to fill your dining companions' cups of tea before your own. Also, in general, whoever extended the invitation to dine pays the bill.

2. To find out about events in town, check out the Friday section of English newspaper 'Taipei Times' or the free monthly magazines, 'Centered on Taipei', from The Community Services Center, and the government's free 'Taiwan Fun' magazine.
3. Tax is already included in the price of goods. To claim tax back, take your passport with you on shopping sprees and have the sales associate fill out the tax refund paperwork, which you take to the airport upon departure.

4. Tipping is becoming more and more part of restaurant culture, but it is generally not expected.

5. Taipei is safe but take care riding taxis alone in the early hours.