The Land of Superstition

Personally, I could care less about what people think of Geminis 'cause I think horoscope is largely generalization and contributes nothing more than to encourage stereotyping. It's, however, an effective ice-breaker at parties or an excuse (i.e., "Sorry I'm late again. What can I say? I'm a Gemini." ) if you have very tolerant and understanding friends. My "personality" as depicted by some "fortune tellers" based on the star sign under which my mother happened to go into labor is not something I firmly believe, nor would I let it bother me when other people react unfavorably.

However, I hesitate every time someone asks what my horoscope sign is. It's because I've come to realize how influential horoscope signs are in Asia. Aside from the numerous TV shows analyzing and predicting the characteristics and future prospects of every single sign, horoscope signs are also used in the selection process in the work force even before you have the chance to make a personal impression. The manager of a prestigious company in Taiwan openly admitted on TV that she would not hire people under certain horoscope signs because those signs conflict with her own. After all, why would you hire highly capable individuals who may not get along with you? In Taiwan, one's date of birth, along with a recent photograph of oneself, is one of the essential pieces of information one must include in one's resume so that hiring managers of either gender can objectively select the most capable and qualified candidate for the job.

The good thing about the school I work at is that the management doesn't give a rat's ass about these things. Otherwise, I might not have gotten the job in the first place. I, as I discovered, have got a pretty bad astrological combination as far as the Taiwanese are concerned. Apparently us Geminis have got a bad rap in this part of the world. We're unpredictable, flirtatious, unfaithful, and cunning. However, we're also slim-figured, physically attractive, smart, and charismatic. In other words, Geminis have got everything everyone hates. Gemini males are believed to be cheaters; Gemini women are often the reason your husband is cheating on you. Lucky for me, there are always a few students who try and throw me a rope to salvation in every class by asking what my Chinese horoscope sign is. Well, that's when the dark spiral takes hold and sucks me into eternal doomage. I'm a rat.