When an Earthquake Hits: Taiwan’s Unique Culture of Staying Calm

If you’re a foreigner experiencing your first earthquake in Taiwan, your instinct might be sheer panic -  heart racing, ready to bolt for the door. But then, you notice something odd: everyone else is just... sitting there.

"No One Wants to Be the First to Run"
In a typical Taiwanese office, someone might shout, “Earthquake!” - but that’s about it. Nobody moves, not even ducks under the table. Everyone stays glued to their screens, fingers still tapping. If the shaking intensifies, people might stand, exchange comments about the tremors, and then—resume work. Usually, it’s only after an earthquake that everyone snaps back with an 'Oh, so that really was an earthquake' expression.

I recall the major earthquake on April 3, 2024. The national earthquake alarm blared on every smartphone in the office. Then, items toppled, monitors crashed - and yet, nobody ran. We all just sat there, mentally debating: Do we actually need to move? In fact, I’ve been through many big earthquakes in my office, but I’ve never seen anyone dash for the exit. It’s ironic that as students, we practiced regular earthquake drills, yet as office workers, we cling to our desks like enchanted shields, hoping, If we’ve made it this far, we’ll be fine.

Are we truly calm, or just hesitant? I think every Taiwanese has the same internal debate: Run or wait? It’s not bravery - it’s social conditioning. If you panic and dash outside for a minor tremor, you’ll be the office joke for six months. If you stay put, 99% of the time, nothing happens. So, we “wait and see” - and somehow, work continues.

"We'd Rather Risk It Than Look Dramatic"
So, it’s more like peer pressure that keeps us in our seats. When no one else moves, you start thinking, Am I overreacting? No one wants to be the first to sprint outside, only to realize the shaking stopped two seconds later.

Taiwan’s earthquake response isn’t just about composure; it’s an unspoken social experiment. We’re not fearless - we’re just watching each other for cues. Unless it shakes like the ceiling is falling - most crucially - someone actually runs, we maintain the illusion of calm.

That said, if the day ever comes when an entire office does evacuate instantly, that might be scarier than the earthquake itself!

By the way, seeing my daughter jump out of her chair and duck under the table when an earthquake alarm sounds (even for minor ones), I’d say school education is pretty effective. Adults? We just wing it.

#JustTaiwanThings: A Series on Island Life's Quiet Peculiarities