Most people work as a matter of fact. It might be Sunday but a call from the boss is fine and we are not talking high powered jobs. The flip-side is a slightly more flexible approach to your hours. From the outside looking in it's hard to know but, I think the Taiwanese work longer hours overall, the attitude towards work is different too and for me I don't really understand, it's way too cultural at the moment. Whether this is something that will change with each generation is hard to say. Slowly over time the way things are being consumed are changing and this fact changes this work/life balance.
The notion of work for many here in Taiwan is that of family business or set-up business. It's very interesting to see, as you get light commercial, mixed in with residential, next to catering and so on. It makes for very interesting and colourful streets. The enterprising spirit here is very much alive for now, but the future may change things. Slowly, but surely as more malls, supermarkets, open up and change the business landscape - and many younger Taiwanese will want to follow - the global brands and the American image of consumerism become stronger. I fear that a lot of the smaller businesses will not be able to keep-up with this. For now the picture is pretty good with so many small business keeping competition high especially in the food arena. Certain areas [of business] are not so competitive - this might be down to Taiwanese tastes and the idea of 'wealth' as being able to afford certain things and show them as expensive? Hence holding or elavating your social status (superficially).
As a Western consumer myself, I can sometimes struggle with the concept here in Taiwan and often feel more at home in the mall or supermarket, less confused and able to make my choices. So I have to ask myself is that better or is it worse? Hard to tell, personally, as my language skills are still very low I can't really communicate too well. Hence the ease of the supermarket. Also, it's a familirality for me.
I really don't know what drives a Taiwanese to work and work so hard. But, during a meal with friends of my wife, we briefly discussed work and it seemed that either they love what they do or see work as life. As opposed to life as life and work being the annoying thing that pays for life! A Western concept! As I explore the area bit-by-bit I see many people working and it seems more natural. I also doubt its less stressful or in anyway relaxing. Just the acceptance that work is life. A more selfless approach perhaps.
