Foreign man misses stop, swears and attacks driver – Mexican in Taiwan: 'Taiwanese buses are the best in the world'

Reported by You Ru / Taipei

A foreign man took Bus Route 1 operated by Taoyuan Bus on the evening of the 4th. Suspected of ringing the bell too late, he missed his stop and then flew into a rage, swearing angrily at the driver and even assaulting himThe video uploaded online sparked widespread condemnation, affecting foreigners in Taiwan as well. Omar, a Mexican, told reporters that he has traveled to over 40 countries and experienced public transportation in various nations. 'The bus service in Taiwan is really among the best in the world.'


▲ Foreigner swears and attacks bus driver, local woman joins in. (Photo / Screenshot from YouTube)

The foreign man swore loudly on the bus, yelled at passengers to shut up, and even assaulted the driver. The video caused an uproar. Omar, a Mexican student studying Chinese at Tamkang University because he fell in love with Taiwan, expressed sadness, fearing that the actions of one person could affect how Taiwanese view foreigners. 'There are many very polite foreigners in Taiwan who respect local rules,' he said. 'I hope Taiwanese people don’t think all foreigners should leave just because one person set a bad example.'

'I think Taiwanese bus drivers are the most polite and trustworthy drivers in the world,' Omar shared. In his hometown of Mexico City, bus services are not as good, and there are often dangerous situations during rides. In contrast, Taiwanese bus drivers not only actively announce stops and road names but also pay attention to pregnant women and the elderly. Omar said that although he occasionally encounters drivers who go a bit fast, he often sees drivers reminding passengers to watch their step or hold the handrails by the roadside. 'It really feels very thoughtful.'


▲ Omar from Mexico decided to stay in Taiwan to study Chinese because he fell in love with the country. (Photo / Provided by Omar)

'I’ve seen many people fall asleep on the bus and ring the bell in a hurry to get off, and the drivers will wait patiently,' Omar said. His experience riding buses in Taiwan, whether in Taipei or not, made him feel the seriousness and dedication of most drivers. However, Omar also pointed out that the warmth, kindness, and helpfulness of Taiwanese people toward foreigners can indeed lead some foreigners to develop an attitude of 'thinking they can do anything.'

As a foreigner in Taiwan, Omar still feels helpless and angry about the behavior of the foreign man. 'I’m afraid Taiwanese people might think all foreigners are rude, but actually, every individual represents their own country,' Omar added. Taiwan is a beautiful place, and most foreigners in Taiwan are willing to take the time to patiently understand local rules and etiquette. 'I hope Taiwanese people won’t be disappointed in us because of this.'