Page 48 - 2023-24年度總監月報十二月號

Having Fun with

Taipei Jen Ai Rotary

Club Family

By P Paul Giubergia_（Jen Ai Rotary Club ）

ello, my name is Paul Giubergia. When I pass out my name card to
Hpeople in Taiwan, the receiver generally will have a curiously look

on their face because name and face don’t jibe! Which then, I generally
will follow by explaining that I’ve taken my step father’s name when I

immigrated to the U.S at the age of seven, and that all my personal record

passport, driver’s license, social security, etc. are under this name and
this is why I have a Western name. Having been raised and educated in the

Caucasian family and culture surely gave me a different perspective then in
Taiwan; Therefore, once I decided to reside here, I’ve made every effort

to adapt to the local culture and ways of doing things. This adaptation was

also quickly translated to Rotary culture when I became the President of 23-
24 Taipei Jen Ai Rotary Club as well.

Upon taking the presidency, my biggest challenge was communicating
with elders in our Club because of my limited vocabulary and cultural

differences. For example, elders at the Club like to use pointers instead of

telling you exactly what to do that I’m so use too. So, at the beginning, I
really had a hard time because many result often was not pleasing to elders!

Another challenge I had was I couldn’t really express my real thoughts
because of my language limitation. I often couldn’t understand funny jokes

or telling jokes that is so way of life for Rotarians. My expression less

facial gesture often was interpreted by fellow Rotarians that I’m not having
fun in which they were right, I was frustrated! Another issue I have is that

I don’t have a flattering mouth, I really don’t know how to say flattering
words to please elders that is of Chinese culture and not Western culture

48 總監月報 No.12