Open F2F Class Notes May 6th (Ben)

Original

Today I want to introduce Nongtangs.

Shanghai is a place blending history and modernity, Eastern and Western culture

If you want to know authentic Shanghai culture, I recommend trip through Longtang, which are small alleys with private residents.

Nongtang is like window into a local way of life with private and tolerate. Because of the limited living space, people 5 or 8 families share one kitchen and one bathroom, which made people learn compromise and develop empathy while building patience and character, not to mention the first residents of Nongtang were from different places of China.

They set in Shanghai, at the same time, they brought different cultures with them. So Nongtangs are also places blending diverse cultures. Nongtang culture symbolizes Shanghai culture. We welcome any cultures with open arms. That’s the reason why SH is an amazing city and will be a more amazing city.

I love Shanghai.

Edited version

Today I want to introduce Nongtangs.

Shanghai is a place blending history and modernity, Eastern and Western cultures

If you want to know authentic Shanghai culture, I recommend going for a walk through Longtangs, which are small alleys with private residencies.

A nongtang is like a window into a local way of life with open and tolerant cultures. Because of the limited living space, people 5 to 8 families share one kitchen and one bathroom, which makes people learn to compromise and develop empathy while building patience and character, not to mention the first residents of nongtangs were from different places in China.

They settled in Shanghai and at the same time, they brought different cultures with them. So nongtangs are also places blending diverse cultures. Nongtang cultures symbolize Shanghai culture. We welcome any culture with open arms. That’s the reason why SH is an amazing city and will be a more amazing city in the future.

I love Shanghai.

a resident = someone who resides in a residency

tolerant = who tolerates new people and ideas

places of China –> places in China

Teacher’s version

Today I want to introduce Nongtangs to you.

Shanghai is a place blending history and modernity, and bringing the best of Eastern and Western worlds.

If you want to know about the authentic Shanghai, I recommend going for a walk through Longtangs, which are small alleys with private residencies and that have existed since China was born.

A nongtang is like a window on a local way of life with open and tolerant cultures. Because of its limited living space, people 5 to 8 families often share one kitchen and one bathroom, which makes people have to compromise and develop empathy for each other while building patience and character, not to mention the first residents of nongtangs were from different places in China who often spoke different dialects and had different beliefs and life habits.

These people settled in Shanghai in the early XXth century and and at the same time, they brought different cultures with them while doing so.

So nongtangs quickly became real melting pots over time.

Nowadays, Nongtangs symbolize Shanghai and its welcoming culture. We welcome any visitor with open arms. That’s the reason why SH is an amazing city and will be even more amazing in the future in my eyes. 

I hope these boiling areas of life can survive the invasion of realtors over the city in the future.