Recently, the rapid appreciation of the Taiwan dollar has sparked concerns among many, particularly regarding its impact on exports and the stock market. However, some netizens have taken a commoner's perspective and compiled a list of benefits the appreciation brings, igniting a lively discussion.

One netizen on PTT created a 'Small Happiness List of Taiwan Dollar Appreciation,' with the first point stating, 'If the Taiwan dollar rises by 10%, it's like everyone's salary also increases by 10%'! Although others quickly shot back, 'Companies are going bankrupt; how could wages increase?', this still managed to spark conversation.

So, what benefits do netizens see in the appreciation? Here are a few notable mentions:

• The excuse for raising prices diminishes for bosses: 'In the past, price hikes were justified by rising raw material costs; now that the currency has appreciated, can that reason still hold?'
• The central bank hesitates to print money indiscriminately: 'As the value of the USD declines, printing more TWD becomes meaningless. Could this help cool the housing market?'
• Companies relying solely on the exchange rate may struggle: 'Those businesses that only survive because of currency fluctuations will need to exit; the market may become healthier as a result.'
• Imported goods become cheaper: 'With Amazon discounts combined with the exchange rate, it really opens up shopping opportunities!'
• Pressure on Taiwan Power and CPC (China Petroleum) lessens: 'As imported energy becomes cheaper, government subsidies might also lessen.'

Furthermore, netizens added that 'buying foreign currency insurance, studying abroad, overseas property acquisition, and investing in U.S. stocks' have all become more cost-effective. Some humorously joked, 'If it gets to 1:1, I might just move to the U.S. and enjoy life!' However, not everyone shares the same sentiment, with some countering, 'Prices remain unbearably high,' and 'Items in Taiwan continue to rise in price,' asserting that appreciation only benefits business owners without helping salaries.

This gap between the reality and the fantasy of appreciation has added a layer of self-deprecating humor to the discussion. What do you think? Can the appreciation of the Taiwan dollar truly make everyone richer, or is it just a superficial happiness?