Great Tips

As a girl from New York, I had always been surrounded by diversity, but nothing prepared me for the day I found myself shopping in a bustling market in Taiwan. It was the first week of my study abroad semester in Taipei. Amid the vibrant colors and exotic smells of the street vendors, I was stopped by a friendly Taiwanese woman who, with a smile, gently asked if she could touch my curly hair. Surprised, I agreed, and what followed was a delightful conversation that bridged the gap between two cultures. Our laughter and shared curiosity created an unexpected connection, reminding me of the power of human interaction to transcend language and background. This experience became a profound lesson in the beauty of cultural exchange and the warmth that can emerge from the simplest moments of curiosity.

It was the first week of my study abroad trip in Taiwan. I was in a local market, shopping for pineapple cakes when, all of a sudden, I felt a tug at my hair. I turned around and saw a Taiwanese woman standing behind me, seemingly frozen. In the humid climate, my curly hair was screaming for help–a puffy mess rather than the coils I normally have. Like many Taiwanese people, this woman had never seen curls like mine before. I believe she had a very child-like impulse at that moment and just grabbed my hair. I smiled and asked “Nǐ yǒu wèntí ma?” (Do you have any questions?) and she responded, “Nǐ huì shuō zhōngwén ma!?” (You speak Chinese!?). I smiled and nodded, “Duì!” (yes!). She paused, then asked, “Shì zìrán de ma?” (Is it natural?). I told her it was and we were able to speak a bit about my hair and how fluffy it is. I enjoyed engaging with her and teaching her about how I take care of my hair. By the end of the conversation, I had made a new friend.

Example 2 was written by a human.

Alexa narrates the anecdote in a way that feels authentic and relatable. She shares small details that propel the narrative: the "tug" on her hair, for example, or the "child-like impulse" experienced by the Taiwanese woman. In telling her story, she uses a natural, conversational tone which draws the reader in. Finally, she deploys her sense of humor to engage the reader and to show that she does not take herself too seriously, for example when she describes her hair as a "puffy mess" that "was screaming for help."

While AI can mimic these qualities, it lacks the depth of personal experience and the ability to reflect on events with nuance. Example 1, by comparison, feels dry and formulaic.

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