Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash
Coffee Mornings: When are they held?
Every week at 10:30am at Lutetia’s on Chungshan North Road Section 6, #444, unless otherwise stated.
Do I have to arrive at 10:30?
No. Many members arrive later (11:00 or 11:30). The gathering often blends into early lunch.
Are there evening coffee meetings?
No. Members generally don’t drink coffee after 6pm, so coffee mornings remain daytime only and coffee shops close late afternoon. We don’t do Starbucks.
Lunch & Dinner Events, etc.
Are there alternatives to coffee mornings?
Yes. Lunches are popular since most of the groups’ active members are free then. For example, one of our recent lunches welcomed 40 attendees.
Can we organize dinners?
Absolutely. Many members enjoy dinner, movies, and outings. Evening events are welcome if someone organizes them.
Other Times & Events
Do events happen on weekends?
Yes, occasional Saturday gatherings are organized, if someone organizes them.
Who decides the schedule?
Members themselves. Retired in Taiwan is not top‑down; anyone can propose and host events. It’s on the host to manage the event, signups, etc.
How to Organize an Event
Is there a main organizer?
No. Members create events at times that suit them. Other members will chip in wherever they can.
Where do I start?
Join the WhatsApp group (link in featured posts). That’s where ideas are shared and sign‑ups happen.
How do I promote an event?
Limited events (small seating, e.g., Churchill’s) fill up quickly on WhatsApp and may not be posted elsewhere. We recommend you doing this first.
Open events can be promoted on WhatsApp, then shared on the website, and occasionally on Facebook.
Why do we not use Facebook events?
FB posts rarely get seen. Sign‑ups are minimal. FB is mainly used to attract future members, not to manage current events. You can promote on FB, if you wish… but we’ve not been very successful.
Participation: Do I need permission to organize?
No. Members are encouraged to create activities—coffee, lunch, dinner, outings, or cultural events, etc. Don’t expect us to do it for you!
How do I know if people will come?
Post your idea in the WhatsApp group. Around 40 active members regularly respond and join there. The process for events: WA discuss & invite, Website announce, FB Event.
Have an idea?
If you have an idea for an event, and wish to host it, please let us know. The more specific you are the more chance we’ll be able to help.
Let me reiterate here:
Retired in Taiwan is a grassroots organization that came together as a result of there being no other group able to provide such a format for foreign residents in Taipei. It happened dynamically, gradually and with the extensive input of individuals over nearly 2 years. We have members who travel from Neihu, Banqiao, Tamsui, etc. regularly to attend.
We do not have membership fees, a roster, an agenda, or a fixed format. There are no real leaders, just hosts. Do not expect the group to function in such a top‑down fashion. If the current events don’t work for you, get involved and create it in the group here (and on WA). If your event is suitable, then you’ll find like‑minded members.
In the past we’ve organized:
- movie outings
- museum trips
- excursions
- lunches
- coffee mornings…
What would you like to organize? Don’t wait for us to do it, get involved! DIY!
WA = WhatsApp. FB = Facebook. We did have a LINE group, nobody used it.