No Hugs in Taiwan

I arrived in Taiwan on a beautiful summer day and was ready to tour the gorgeous country, finally under my feet.  Although I was advised by my spectacular tour guide to rest that day, and the adventure would begin on the day to follow.  The next morning I woke up bright and early and got ready for my first day out on the town with my husband.  We made our way down stairs and maneuvered through the bustling crowds in the small lobby.  We were specifically told to meet our tour guide for the day directly out front of our hotel at 8 AM sharp, and we were right on time. As I passed the tall brass doors leading to the front of the hotel I spotted her just behind the large potted plant on the wide sidewalk. She held a large white sign with our last name on it, in English, of course. The next move I made was a bad one as it set the tone for the rest of the day and but a damper on my whole trip.  I saw this petite adorable lady, walked briskly up to her, and introduced myself as any other girl would do I leaned in for a hug, and that is when the catastrophe began.  Just as I did she screamed, hollered, and cried for help.  In seconds I was surrounded by security guards who were all ready to take me down in just an instant.  I backed off and turn red as a tomato with embarrassment.  Even after reading all the Taiwan etiquette books nothing prepared me to leave my old traditions behind me and never hug a person at first meeting.  After all in America hugging is considered a generous, loving, and kind way to show your affection but not in Taiwan!  Don't make the same mistake as me and feel like the idiot who hugs strangers in the hugging forbidden country!