One of the cruelest things that a Taiwanese person can do to a foreigner is say "Would you like to have some _____." In this sentence the "_____" is any food which you miss from home and thought impossible to get in Taiwan. Even though you know better, every time you hear this sentence for a split second your heart will jump with excitement, only to quickly come crashing back down to reality.
It took me a few years, but I finally learned to have no reaction when people say "let's go have some pudding." Now I would murder a family for some nice rich creamy pudding, but of course that's not that is not available in Taiwan. In Taiwan "pudding" means a very gelatinized, convenience store only, version of creme caramel (perhaps better known to you as flan or custard).
For years it was a horrid trick anytime people would say "pudding" but as I said, I got over it. However this doesn't mean the threat is gone. Just last week I saw a fellow foreigner order some "pudding" for dessert, only to almost break down in tears when this jello custard arrived instead. This "pudding" is a soul crusher.
