culture

從衛生紙到洗頭：台美衛浴大不同

Why Your Shower and Toilet Habits Change in the US

Moving between Taiwan and the US reveals surprising differences in the most basic daily routines. This lesson explores how toilet paper designs and local water quality dramatically affect how we clean ourselves and wash our hair. Learners will master the vocabulary needed to discuss these everyday cultural shocks.

課程預覽

Bathroom Habits and First Impressions

5 MIN

When you travel to another country, do you throw toilet paper in the toilet or in the trash can?
Have you ever felt that your hair or skin felt different after taking a shower in a different city? Why do you think that happened?

The Hidden Mechanics of Daily Hygiene

10 MIN

For many Taiwanese people moving to the United States, the first big surprise is not the food or the language, but the bathroom. In Taiwan, older pipes and thick paper mean that people usually throw used toilet paper into a small trash can. However, in the US, plumbing systems are different. American toilet paper is made to dissolve quickly in water, so people always flush it down the toilet. Throwing used toilet paper in a trash can in the US is often seen as dirty and strange.

Another big change is the water. A lot of tap water in the US is hard water. This means it has many minerals like calcium. Taiwan's water, especially in the north, is soft water. Hard water does not make bubbles easily when you use soap or shampoo. It can also leave a dry feeling on your skin and make your hair very dry and frizzy. Because of this, many people have to buy special shampoos or use shower filters to protect their hair and skin. These small things show how our daily habits depend on where we live.