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Dating culture · Taiwan

Dating in Taiwan: what newcomers should know

Updated October 2026

Dating in Taiwan is usually warm, polite and fairly unhurried. Many people meet through friends, school, work or hobbies, and dating apps are widely used as well, from international names to local apps built around voice chats or shared activities. Food is at the heart of most dates, from night markets to cafés, and people often get to know each other in small groups before going one to one. Communication tends to be friendly but indirect, and family opinion often matters once a relationship gets serious. Taipei feels very safe at night, and the MRT runs until around midnight.

How dating works here

  • Anyone can make the first move, but many people prefer to be introduced through friends or to meet in a group before a one-to-one date.
  • Dating apps are widely used, and local apps built around voice chats or shared interests and activities are popular too.
  • There is no fixed rule on paying: the person who invited often offers, splitting is common among younger people, and taking turns works well.
  • First dates are usually low-key: coffee, a meal, a night market, a walk by the river or a film.
  • Once you have matched, conversations usually move to a messaging app such as LINE.
  • Being on time is appreciated; send a message if you are running late.
  • Things tend to move at a gentle pace, and a relationship is often made official by simply agreeing to be together.
  • Public displays of affection are kept modest; holding hands is normal, long kisses in public are rare.
  • Families are close, and meeting the parents is a meaningful step that usually comes after a while.
  • Dates often centre on food and tea rather than alcohol, and drinking heavily on a date is unusual.
  • Mandarin is spoken everywhere and many younger people in Taipei also speak some English; a few words of Mandarin are always appreciated.
  • Same-sex marriage has been legal since 2019.

GO TO

  • Suggest a relaxed first date near an MRT station: coffee, a meal or a night market walk.
  • Offer to pay or to split, and follow your date's lead without making a big deal of it.
  • Be on time and message if you are delayed.
  • Show interest in food; asking for your date's favourite dishes or night market stalls is a great conversation starter.
  • Learn a few polite words of Mandarin, like hello and thank you.
  • Be patient and let things develop step by step.
  • Be respectful and kind to friends and family if you are introduced to them.
  • Plan the trip home: check the last MRT or agree on a taxi.
  • Send a short thank-you message after the date.
  • Say clearly and kindly if you are not interested, rather than disappearing.

NO GO

  • Do not push for physical closeness; let your date set the pace.
  • Do not talk loudly or eat and drink on the MRT; eating and drinking are not allowed past the gates.
  • Do not get drunk on a first date.
  • Do not make jokes or sweeping statements about local people or culture.
  • Do not bring up politics on early dates; keep the conversation light.
  • Do not take photos of your date or of people around you without asking.
  • Do not expect a quick answer to every message; people can be busy and reply later.
  • Do not send money or make investments for someone you have only met online.
  • Do not cross the road without watching for scooters, even on a green light.

Safety

  • Call 110 for the police and 119 for an ambulance or fire.
  • Call the 165 anti-fraud hotline to check if a match asks for money or pushes an investment opportunity.
  • The 113 women and children protection hotline is there if you need help.
  • Meet first dates in busy public places and tell a friend where you are going.
  • Watch your drink and do not leave it unattended in bars and clubs.
  • Take care crossing streets busy with scooters, and plan your way home before the MRT stops around midnight.
  • Emergency number: 110 (police), 119 (ambulance and fire)

Questions and answers

What is dating like in Taiwan?

Dating in Taiwan is usually warm, polite and fairly unhurried. Many people meet through friends, school, work or hobbies, and dating apps are widely used as well, from international names to local apps built around voice chats or shared activities. Food is at the heart of most dates, from night markets to cafés, and people often get to know each other in small groups before going one to one. Communication tends to be friendly but indirect, and family opinion often matters once a relationship gets serious. Taipei feels very safe at night, and the MRT runs until around midnight.

What should you avoid on a date in Taiwan?

Do not push for physical closeness; let your date set the pace. Do not talk loudly or eat and drink on the MRT; eating and drinking are not allowed past the gates.

What makes a good impression on a date in Taiwan?

Suggest a relaxed first date near an MRT station: coffee, a meal or a night market walk. Offer to pay or to split, and follow your date's lead without making a big deal of it.

How do you stay safe on a date in Taiwan?

Call 110 for the police and 119 for an ambulance or fire.

Every person is different. These are general patterns, not rules.

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