PhD thesis final - Royal Holloway, University of London

Chapter 6 –Grounding belonging in leisure spaceconsumption properly in Taiwanese restaurants that often makes migrants feel as thoughthey fit in perfectly. As such, migrants‘ often assert their Taiwanese identities bydistancing themselves from the PRC Chinese who lack cultural understanding andpractices of Taiwanese food consumption in places considered to be Taiwanese culturalspace. Terry, a GM, in his early 50s who lives with his family in suburban Shanghai,told me his feelings toward the PRC Chinese customers in Taiwanese restaurants:Occasionally, I see PRC Chinese here. They often come with Taiwanese people. If not,they won‘t know how to manage eveything, like ordering food. Even the simplest thing,like figuring out what‘s the menu and what the dishes are, I don‘t think it is an easy taskfor them. Besides, it is very interesting to see their eating [habits]. I found out that theirsare totally different from ours. For example, they often make a lot of noise while eating.They also won‘t stop talking when there is food in their mouth. The table is always messyand disgusting after they finish. Things like this really make me lose my appetite.When I shared a meal with Joyce at a Taiwanese restaurant near the gated communityshe lives in suburban Shanghai she lives, she shared her thoughts with me on the PRCChinese waitress‘ service:I don‘t think they really know how to serve customers. As you had seen, she [the waitress]didn‘t even know what the dish looks and tastes like when I asked her. Sometimes, I justfeel that they just don‘t care, they don‘t really take it seriously. I even suspect that theydon‘t [have any] interest in learning that at all.The above-mentioned incidents demonstrate that Taiwanese expatriates often use theways the PRC Chinese improperly behave, in terms of eating, talking and performing,217