Posts by VivianHsiao@spinster.xyz
(DIR) Post #B2jmI1LdwGTqyKGP3Y by VivianHsiao@spinster.xyz
2026-01-28T02:56:02.466630Z
1 likes, 0 repeats
Well, back at the time of the SARS pandemic, Taiwanese people already learned that the WHO ws unreliable. We will never forget what the god damn China's diplomat Sha Zukang has commented on the exclusion of us from the WHO--"Who cares about you (Taiwanese people)? We already voted to deny it on the WHO meeting!" Honestly speaking, we don't owe anything to the WHO so long as it values Chinese people's lives more than ours. I don't even fully agree to that we should have given free masks to European countries during the COVID-19 pandemic if those European politicians would remain so eager to lick China's ass.https://english.president.gov.tw/NEWS/130RT: https://spinster.xyz/objects/f0c6910d-8099-46be-95e2-c95fa639a84e
(DIR) Post #B2jmIbHILuOQPGVRHE by VivianHsiao@spinster.xyz
2026-01-28T02:49:44.193486Z
1 likes, 0 repeats
"US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday said that the US was pulling out of the UN agency, as it failed to fulfill its responsibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.The WHO “ignored early COVID warnings from Taiwan in 2019 by pretending Taiwan did not exist, O’Neill wrote on X on Friday, Taiwan time. “It ignored rigorous science and promoted lockdowns.”WHO COVID-19 technical lead Maria Van Kerkhove on Saturday called it “all untrue.”“Taiwan didn’t warn us: They asked for information the same day,” she wrote. “We have not ignored Taiwan, we don’t ignore science and WHO never recommended lockdowns.”Then-CECC head Chen Shih-chung （陳時中） said that although Taiwan did not explicitly state the risk of human-to-human transmission, it implied this by emphasizing that all cases were isolated for treatment.Chen released his Dec. 31, 2019, e-mail to the WHO in April 2020. It reads as follows: “News resources today indicate that at least seven atypical pneumonia cases were reported in Wuhan, CHINA. Their health authorities replied to the media that the cases were believed not SARS; however the samples are still under examination, and cases have been isolated for treatment.”In related news, former Japan Self-Defense Forces chief of staff Shigeru Iwasaki on Sunday said that Taiwan proactively provided Japan with information about the COVID-19 outbreak at the end of 2019, playing an important role in Japan’s decisionmaking."https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/focus/breakingnews/5322946
(DIR) Post #B2jvAhnp6pbJug204u by VivianHsiao@spinster.xyz
2026-01-28T05:06:33.796214Z
1 likes, 0 repeats
@Sherri_Ingrey I think some American officials and Democrats realized what they have fucked up this case of COVID-19 and so they conspired with high-rank officials from other countriese to cover up most evidences. They cannot keep denying their crimes like that forever.
(DIR) Post #B2lQofiBasxykTtLea by VivianHsiao@spinster.xyz
2026-01-29T02:20:33.842376Z
1 likes, 0 repeats
Just read some people's thoughts on how vulnerable you can be to your partner and how social norms have shaped our common standards for that. It is quite interesting seeing how many men firmly restate that women won't respect a sobbing man because they don't want to mother him. Of course the occasion and stage of relationship matter, too.I think generally there is a base line between being vulnerable and dumping emotions. It is also important that one must know how to stand on his or her feet if they want a meaningful and growing relationship. Though in a relationship, one may have to take care of (sort of parenting) when the time is difficult for the other. That is not a permanent condition. No one can do that forever. It is tiresome. So yes, a therapist exists for this reason.
(DIR) Post #B2lsRiqIaJz8VzX1Iu by VivianHsiao@spinster.xyz
2026-01-29T07:09:38.457171Z
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@Jonny Maybe she is not good at handling people's tears. I used to be like that. And it is never easy for a person who does not share the same experience as you do to really comfort you. I lost my father and read some books to learn this painfully. None of my peers lose their parents that early. It is no use if you hate women for this. No matter she is your girlfriend or wife or any close female person, she will always have the right to refuse to comfort you. Of course you can break up with her for hurting you again (as a stranger, I am sorry for your loss btw). Just find a better woman and make you life better.👍
(DIR) Post #B2ly2T94PQjgJfeZEW by VivianHsiao@spinster.xyz
2026-01-29T09:13:38.782794Z
2 likes, 0 repeats
I am curious about how Jaffa cakes taste. Have never seen any of this in Taiwan's foreign baking supplies. We don't have Tesco stores since the last one closed years ago. :cat-meme-3:
(DIR) Post #B2nTSqc14drwMcD8Ay by VivianHsiao@spinster.xyz
2026-01-30T02:44:45.887190Z
4 likes, 0 repeats
It is shocking to me that some clothing brands deliberately make their products smaller and tighter to catch female customers of specific body shapes. Because those sIim women make their products look much better in others' eyes. I did know that manufacturing clothes are nothing like a tailored one. You cannot complain about having a difficulty finding a clothes perfectly suits your body. Same things go for women's bras.In East Asia, women don't get a plenty of choices for body shapes if they want to wear outfits of various styles/brands. Being a plus size woman brings stigma, too. The fundamental problem is that how capitalism (in East Asia's case, collectivism as well) sets up a single and rigid standard of beauty and creates anxieties among women (especially younger ones).If every woman feels fine about how she looks, then there will be no money spent for appearance and confidence. Personally I believe that one more onwavering factor for this result is that women have to compete for (or please) men in the dating market to some extent. Like a common saying goes, "One woman puts on makeup and thus looks prettier, then every other women wants to do that, too."Still, I believe it is important for women to tell one another that you are beautiful enough without doing anything. We don't have to be like that woman on a fashion magazine cover. It is not your job to make others feel amused when looking at you. If a younger woman tells me that she wants to feel pretty, then I can teach her one or two things without pressuring her into pursuing the unachievable image. That's what sisterhood means all the time.
(DIR) Post #B2nWSDX6fXsh1ZIzeS by VivianHsiao@spinster.xyz
2026-01-30T02:24:30.802388Z
2 likes, 0 repeats
@Flick Oh, so I found a deluxe version of jaffa cake!😂 And most jaffa cakes look more like this? Pretty little yummy things, actually.
(DIR) Post #B2nwHKc4bQkybc69su by VivianHsiao@spinster.xyz
2026-01-30T03:20:33.909454Z
1 likes, 0 repeats
Well, I have always believed that Kristen Stewart is a lesbian and her dating with the Twilight guy is smoke and mirrors.“Actresses get treated like s--t, I’ve got to tell you,” Kristen, 35, told U.K.'s The Times in an interview published Jan. 24. “People think anyone could be an actress, but the first time I sat down to talk about my movie as a director, I thought, ‘Wow, this is a different experience, they are talking to me like I’m somebody with a brain.’”“There’s this idea that directors have otherworldly abilities, which is not true,” she explained. “It’s an idea perpetuated by men. Not to sound like I’m complaining all the time, but it’s worse for female actors than male ones—they get treated like puppets, but they are not.”https://www.eonline.com/news/1427739/kristen-stewart-on-treatment-of-actresses-directors
(DIR) Post #B2wDIiefxBBzwgF6DQ by VivianHsiao@spinster.xyz
2026-02-03T02:31:13.024544Z
1 likes, 0 repeats
It is only 11 days before the Chinese New Year vacation. I think I have collected enough books to read and movies to be watched. Those debts must be paid or I am not going to catch up anything I am interested in. :ablobspin:
(DIR) Post #B2wDKn8uEvQgRVN36e by VivianHsiao@spinster.xyz
2026-02-03T02:27:41.573102Z
2 likes, 0 repeats
Sometimes, or maybe all times, I marvel at how sarcastic and witty British people are when it comes to political criticism. In Chinese culture, we value a kind of "harmony"(actually, obedience to the hierarchy) that the lower class should avoid offending the higher class. One may get into troubles if "speak too much" about a politician or a candidate. The retaliation for citizens' bold remarks could be fierce, not just being sued for defaming. For Taiwanese people, we are not far away from the period of a reign of terror and censorship. Personally I think we are not yet a society for the rule of law. Therefore, I admire this open-mindness which seems to be common in Western societies. If the discussion is prevented, then no progress will be made. Conflicts are not necessarily bad. Even compromises are acceptable in some situations. That is what democracy has been established for. We must talk to move forward together.
(DIR) Post #B2wDjqG1nOtLLJeAJk by VivianHsiao@spinster.xyz
2026-02-03T06:02:05.092726Z
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@Sherri_Ingrey @divVerent This letter is trans peaking. A narcisstic man thought he could lecture women about what oppression actually looked like in reality. Women are much more than poor creatures bonded to reproduction. He totally had no idea about what women are and capable of.
(DIR) Post #B2wDjrrHqMI0JA5R20 by VivianHsiao@spinster.xyz
2026-02-03T06:26:07.079048Z
1 likes, 0 repeats
@Sherri_Ingrey @divVerent Some liberal feminists are a disgrace, undoubtedly. They don't care about how capitalism will eventually exploit all the women. I listened to a few episodes from WDI podcast channel. Lesbians who have lived through 1960s-1980s knew that gender ideology is complete bullshit. Queer theories and gender studies infiltrate feminisms long ago.
(DIR) Post #B30LZNfCpS121vmnHk by VivianHsiao@spinster.xyz
2026-02-05T01:19:01.265859Z
1 likes, 0 repeats
@Flick One of the saddest story I have heard since this war began. Citizens are actually the majority that get hurt and die in wars. Though media seldom talk about this fact.
(DIR) Post #B30LaBPfrTIiKEu61A by VivianHsiao@spinster.xyz
2026-02-05T01:16:02.075849Z
1 likes, 0 repeats
@Flick Was it being naughty?😅
(DIR) Post #B38luFmNUQDVjPQwa0 by VivianHsiao@spinster.xyz
2026-02-09T08:48:53.703599Z
3 likes, 0 repeats
It is surprising that my younger sister has the same “freer” feeling when speaking in English as I do. We both agree that speaking in Mandarin Chinese brings the suppression of our real thoughts undeniably. And there is a cultural factor playing in this. For example, if we want to turn down someone’s request, we cannot say direct things like “No, thank you” or “I am good”. As Chinese speakers in Taiwan, we usually voice our rejection in an overpolite and subtle way--“I will reconsider your kind offer, and I will let you know my answer later.” Which most Taiwanese people will correctly understand as a refusal which embarrassed no one on the spot.Other than daily conversations, we express our thoughts and needs in private sphere in a euphemistic way, too. For instance, we seldom say “I love you” to our family members or “I care about you” to friends. At most times, we simply ask “do you miss me” or “are you ok”. Our society also does not value any individual’s emotional outburst even if it is sincere and positive to open a true conversation. Our society values one’s regulation of his or her emotions—namely, the conformity to countless social norms that are obeyed by most people.Personally, I don’t think which way of expression is better or superior. But this difference can shape a society in a powerful way. Language is everything. More and younger Taiwanese people are done with some out-of-fashion manners in this Chinese way of communication. Fairly speaking, I think we might all end up speaking English in the far future. That’s what Anglocentrism and globalism keep bringing to countries that speak different languages and cultures. If speakers of other languages want to resist, they must provide more convincing reasons that people can truly be themselves and interact with one another in more open way. Honestly speaking, I don’t think it has anything to do with colonialism in this case—though I might be called as a “white/Caucasian lover” by some Taiwanese people who would rather stay in a traditional society and the time which has already gone.
(DIR) Post #B39B2odeGWgR13WvDc by VivianHsiao@spinster.xyz
2026-02-09T13:44:12.637834Z
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@Gnomeshatecheese Thanks for your reply, too. Yeah, I still remember the enormous culture shock when I watched Disney animations, Hollywood movies, and Western film works. Taiwanese people or East Asians never show their emotions so nakedly, very brutal to our elder audiences I may say. My younger sister and I were like, "Wait, can we speak like that to adults? Can we stop pretending we have no emotions needed to be comforted as kids?" But generally I think Western people are truer to themselves and others and that's the key to good mental health!😆
(DIR) Post #B3Ai3ssfTBTm6ldGU4 by VivianHsiao@spinster.xyz
2026-02-10T01:51:02.097318Z
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@Flick Is that yummy cheese?😍
(DIR) Post #B3AiRHOMVIOcmxc3CC by VivianHsiao@spinster.xyz
2026-02-10T01:50:17.830202Z
1 likes, 0 repeats
"Fatherfuckers", that is all I will say to Asians men. i saw how Korea's rural lives can allow domestic violence to happen on South-eastern Asian women. The world won't end because those pathetic men have not offsprings. But it will if women refuse to give birth to the world which despises them so much."The controversial remark followed. Mayor Kim proposed, “When Gwangju and South Jeolla integrate, let’s legislate measures to address population decline,” and “If all else fails, we should import young women from Sri Lanka or Vietnam, marry rural bachelors, and prepare special measures.” He added, “How can industries thrive without people?”Laughter erupted in the venue after Mayor Kim’s remark about “importing young women.”While the criticism aimed to highlight that integration focused solely on industrial growth cannot resolve rural population decline, some attendees criticized the framing of foreigners as “imports” and the mention of specific countries. One attendee said, “The expression was excessive. It lacks multicultural, human rights, and gender sensitivity.” Another remarked, “It reveals a view of foreigners solely as labor or marriage partners. Language should have been chosen more carefully in a public discussion about the region’s future.”After the controversy erupted, Mayor Kim issued an apology, stating, “I intended to suggest increasing the inflow of foreign single women to address severe labor shortages in rural areas and encourage marriages for unmarried rural men, thereby enhancing rural sustainability. However, I mistakenly used the term ‘import,’ leading to inappropriate remarks.” He acknowledged, “I clearly recognize that the term could cause misunderstanding and discomfort, contrary to my original intent.”He added, “The remark was never meant to belittle or objectify specific countries or individuals,” and “I intended to emphasize the need to respect marriage migrant women and immigrants as dignified members of society and to institutionally support their stable settlement and community formation.”"https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2026/02/05/BJLHDIXZ6JF5VMBN7X53N22JDQ/
(DIR) Post #B3B19eRNy75QBpKobI by VivianHsiao@spinster.xyz
2026-02-10T02:05:08.169518Z
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@Gnomeshatecheese Oh English-speaking Americans! Definitely can relate to your experiences! My Taiwanese friend who was once an exchange student in Germany told me that American classmate's "niceness" made many European peers feel awkward. I felt that too when American clients kept asking if everyone felt alright. Asians do not smile or laugh often. We tend to be quiet and listening in most circumstances. So I think it is a different way to show that we care in a different culture. It is just that Americans tend not to blend in when they are not in the US.🤣 And special reasons for smiles? I think it is the same for us. Most Taiwanese people would laugh so hard when seeing how our journalists wavering in the strong wind brought by a typhoon.