Demolition
Open to any feedback
The railway station in the city where I grew up is going to be demolished. During my childhood, people always said it was the ugliest station in Taiwan. It was old, not very aesthetic, and noisy. People smoked at the front entrance, so if you wanted to pass, you had to tolerate it. When you arrived, taxi drivers would yell at you, opening their car doors no matter how much you tried to reject them. Migrant workers gathered there, and many Southeast Asian restaurants were nearby. Unfortunately, I never tried any of them; there were no Taiwanese customers, and they didn't have Mandarin menus.
My high school classmates always said the railway station embarrassed them. But I really liked it. I loved the chaos—strange people, messy traffic, and illegal vendors selling knock-offs. It was charming in its own way.
I left my hometown after graduating from high school. Every time I went back, the city had changed slightly, becoming more modern, neat, and efficient. It's a good thing, I guess, but also a little bittersweet.
I didn't mean to convey that migrant workers are a negative thing. However, indeed, in the eyes of some citizens (I am aware this is discrimination), migrant workers may be seen negatively, which is why the station with a concentration of migrant workers might be "perceived as" chaotic. I want to portray in the article the genuine thoughts of how some citizens think about the environment of railway station, even though I don't share these thoughts myself. I tried to be more careful with this writing, but it might still be misleading...And I understand Im too naive on this topic, but after all, I tried to keep this essay as authentic as possible. Feel free to reply and discuss with me :)
DuringAll throughout my childhood, people always said it was the ugliest station in Taiwan.
People smoked at the front entrance, so if you wanted to pass, you had to toleratebear with it.
When you arrived at the station, taxi drivers would yell at you, opening their car doors no matter how much you tried to reject themtheir services.
Migrant workers gathered there, and many Southeast Asian restaurants were nearby.
No change suggested
Be careful. So far, you list only negative things, so talking about migrant workers from Southeast Asia might sound a little racist
Unfortunately, I never tried any of them; there were no Taiwanese customers, and they didn't have Mandarin menus in Mandarin.
I loved the chaos—strangeall sorts of people, messy traffic, and illegal vendors selling knock-offs.
Because you most recently mention migrant workers, it sounds really negative to call them "strange"
- Aabc90377Jun 14
Ah,I got what you mean. I tried to be more careful with this writing, but it might still be misleading. Also, the term 'strange people' was not meant to refer to the migrant workers. Sometimes my writing is not very coherent... Thank you very much for your reminder, I will add my original intention to the native text.
During my childhood, people alwaysoften said it was the ugliest station in Taiwan.
NOTE: The word "always" means "100% of the time." Perhaps "often" is a better word choice. (I am guessing some people were silent and said nothing.)
ItCOMMENT: The grammar is fine. If you mentioned *what year* it was old, not very aesthetic,built and noisywhether the architect was Japanese or Taiwanese, it might be more interesting. (I have become interested in the history of that building.)
PeopleOften people smoked at the front entrance, so if you wanted to pass, you had to tolerate it.
When you arrived, taxi drivers would yell at you, opening their car doors no matter how much you tried to reject them.
No change suggested
Migrant workers gathered there, and many Southeast Asian restaurants were nearby.
No change suggested
Unfortunately, I never tried any of them; there were no Taiwanese customers, and they didn't have Mandarin menus.
No change suggested
My high school classmates always said the railway station embarrassed them.
No change suggested
But I really liked itCOMMENT: If speaking (or writing casually) the original is fine. In more formal English, change "But" to "However,"
It's a good thing, I guess, but also feel a little bittersweet.
Overall feedback
So what town was it? I am curious. I lived in Táoyuán , Taipei, and Shin-Taipei . . . some old towns in Taiwan have an interesting flavor.
- Aabc90377Jun 18
I lived in Zhongli, it is part of Táoyuán but has different vibe! Thanks for your corrections!
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