作者： chenchen

This essay, by Preyahathai Aroonvanichporn, 16, a student at the NIST International School in Bangkok, Thailand, is one of the Top 10 winners of The Learning Network’s “How To” Informational Writing Contest.

How to Bargain Like a Pro in Thai Street Markets

The streets are always packed with tourists, the enticing scent of sizzling street food and the endless negotiations between vendors and customers. These tableaus create a sensory masterpiece: the Maeklong Railway Market. Walking through a Thai street market can feel overwhelming. But if you know its ways, you can leave with more than just souvenirs — you’ll walk away with the skill of bargaining like a real local.

Many believe that it’s simply asking “Lod dai mai krub/ka?” or “May I have a discount?” But real bargaining in a Thai market is an art that requires more than just words. “Bargaining is like cooking a good dish — you need to have patience and add the right ingredients at the right time,” says Khun Somchai, a local fruit vendor.

Start by browsing multiple stalls before showing interest in a product. Prices vary, and knowing the general cost gives you leverage. Never show too much excitement. If you grab an item too eagerly, the seller knows you’re hooked — and the price won’t budge. “When you see the same item being sold by various vendors, you can instantly conclude that the first shop you see is the most expensive,” says Somchai. By taking your time, you get a sense of the real value. Vendors are keen observers. If they see you return, they might be more willing to negotiate, knowing you’ve done your research.

Always let the seller make the first offer “50-60 percent of the asking price” — this starts the negotiation. Somchai advises that “Indecision can make the seller think, ‘they might leave.’” If they believe they’re about to lose a sale, they might offer one final price drop. But if they don’t, pretend to walk away. In many cases, the seller will call you back with a better deal. If they don’t? Move on.

Another strategy is “bundling.” “If you ask for a discount too directly, some sellers won’t budge.” But if you say, “Can I take two for 40 baht instead of 50?” then you have a chance.

To many like Somchai, “Bargaining is more than just getting a good deal, it’s a token from the heart of Thailand’s markets.” So when you leave the bustling streets, you’ll realize that the best souvenir isn’t in your bag — it’s the skill of bargaining like a Thai local that you will have for the rest of your life.

This essay, by Yip Pei Yuan Erica, 18, a student at Foon Yew High School Johor Bahru in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, is one of the Top 10 winners of The Learning Network’s “How To” Informational Writing Contest.

How to Ice Skate Without Faceplanting (or Looking Like a Panicked Penguin)

“Bend your knees, lean forward and whatever you do — don’t flail your arms like a panicked penguin,” says Coach Allysha Tan from Blue Ice Skating Rink, who has spent decades teaching people how to skate gracefully (and, more importantly, how not to faceplant). Skating is an art, a science and a test of how much humiliation you’re willing to endure. But with the right technique — and a little dignity — you can glide across the ice without becoming a viral fail video.

Balance on solid ground? Easy. Balance on frozen water? A betrayal of physics. But don’t panic — your brain already knows how to balance. The trick is convincing it that ice is not the enemy. Stay loose, bend your knees, and embrace the glide.

Your feet will lie to you. They’ll say, “Hey, standing up straight is a great idea!” But no — straight legs equal disaster. “Lower your center of gravity,” says Coach Allysha. “Think of yourself as a ninja, crouched and ready.” If you feel yourself tipping, do not flail. That will only make you look like a bird realizing mid-flight it never learned to fly. Instead, bend lower. The ice can’t trip you if you’re already close to it.

Now, it’s time to move. Push off gently while keeping your weight centered. Gently. No need to launch into orbit. Small, controlled movements are your best friend. And whatever you do — do not look down. “Your feet aren’t going anywhere without you,” says Coach Allysha. “Keep your eyes ahead, or you’ll have an awkward conversation with the ice.”

Here’s the truth: You will fall. Even Olympians fall. The difference? They get up gracefully. If you feel yourself going down, don’t fight it. Gravity will win. Instead, tuck your arms in (to avoid looking like an inflatable tube man) and aim to land on your side or butt — both have more padding than your face. And when you fall? Get up like you meant to do it. “Smile, laugh, and act like you were just testing the ice quality,” says Coach Allysha. “Confidence is everything.”

So bend your knees, take a deep breath and glide forward like you didn’t just Google “how to ice skate without dying.” And if you do fall? Well, as Coach Allysha says, “The ice is always there to catch you. Just try not to make it a habit.”

This essay, by Tenzing Carvalho, 17, a student at Western Center Academy in Hemet, Calif., is one of the Top 10 winners of The Learning Network’s “How To” Informational Writing Contest.

What to Do When a Mountain Gorilla Blocks Your Path

You’re trekking through Volcanoes National Park in the Virunga Mountains of Rwanda, home to 605 of the world’s remaining 1,063 mountain gorillas. And then — bam. A 400-pound silverback stands in your path, chewing a leaf, staring at you like you owe it money.

First, do not run. Do. Not. Run. According to Volcano’s Head Ranger, Remy E., who has spent years keeping tourists from making bad decisions, “If you run, they chase. And trust me, you won’t win.” Gorillas can hit 25 mph, so unless you’re an Olympic sprinter fueled by terror, just don’t.

Instead, assume a nonthreatening posture. No eye contact, no sudden movements — just slowly squat down like you’re bracing for an awkward family photo.

If a gorilla from one of Volcano’s 14 family groups decides you’re in its way, just let it pass. “Sometimes they’ll brush by like an annoyed commuter in a packed subway,” says Remy. Just accept that you are not the main character here.

The massive guy with a silver-streaked back and “I run this jungle” energy? That’s the alpha male, the silverback. Trust me, you do not want to test him.

Whatever you do, don’t touch the babies. No matter how cute they are when they mess with your shoelaces, resist the urge to engage. A protective silverback will not find it adorable.

Instead, back up slowly, keep calm and — here’s the key — grunt. Gorillas make a deep, friendly rumbling to signal all is well. Take a breath and give it your best Grrr-hmmmph.

That throat-clearing grunt? It’s real gorilla-speak. Translation: “Hey, big guy. No problems here. Just passing through.” If he grunts back, congratulations — you’ve just had a polite conversation with a mountain gorilla.

Do not pound your chest. That’s gorilla for “Let’s fight,” and unless you can bench press a car, you will lose.

If a gorilla mock charges (pounding its chest and sprinting toward you), resist every instinct to scream and run. It’s a bluff. “Flinching is weakness,” Remy says. Hold your ground. Congratulations — you just passed the gorilla’s test.

This encounter only happens because of Rwanda’s decades of conservation efforts. Former poachers are rangers and guides, turning their knowledge into protection instead of hunting. The Dian Fossey Foundation works with the Rwandan government to make eco-tourism sustainable, ensuring both the gorillas and local communities thrive.

So why risk this encounter? Because seeing a wild mountain gorilla is unforgettable. They’re majestic, intelligent and — if you follow the rules — unlikely to make you famous for the wrong reasons.

This essay, by Hoseok Jeon, 16, a student at the Korea International School in Seongnam, South Korea, is one of the Top 10 winners of The Learning Network’s “How To” Informational Writing Contest.

How to Prepare for a Funeral Portrait

For someone nearing the end of a full life, taking a funeral portrait doesn’t have to be a somber affair. For Park Young Hoon, an 81-year-old security officer at an apartment complex in Seoul, his funeral portrait session became a pleasant morning spent with his granddaughter. They ate breakfast, walked while listening to birds, and after the shoot, they shared ice cream.

“What most people see as morbid, I saw as another chance to create a memory,” Park says. This way, the funeral portrait transforms from a grim necessity into an everyday activity that happens to become the last image many will see of you. “You could let your memory become merely a formality, or you could turn it into a parting gift,” Park suggests.

First, schedule a date at a photo studio. “Morning appointments work best,” Park advises. “By afternoon, you’ll have experienced so many things that the unusual feeling of taking a funeral portrait disappears,” he explains. Even before the shoot, Park recommends staying active. “Keep yourself occupied and quiet the anxiety your brain is signaling,” he says. “Life limits your choices in many ways: in-laws, height, taxes — the list continues. This portrait lets you reclaim some control over your legacy.”

Choosing appropriate attire comes next. “We should abandon the notion that funeral portraits must be formal,” Park insists. “The image should represent your authentic self. Would it make sense for an avid traveler to wear a suit? Of course not.” He compares life to a novel, noting that “the photo serves as the cover, and that cover remains forever.” Park himself wore his security guard uniform for his portrait. “It’s who I’ve been for 20 years — why pretend otherwise?”

The final step is attending the appointment. Park suggests bringing someone along. “My granddaughter kept making jokes that made me laugh naturally instead of forcing that stiff ‘photograph smile,’” he recalls. “Genuine expressions matter more than practiced poses.”

Taking the portrait is straightforward — follow the photographer’s guidance and remember that authenticity trumps perfection. “A good photograph doesn’t just freeze time,” Park reflects. “It brings back smells and feelings, connecting us to what matters.” We all hope our portraits will remind others of the connections we shared. “So smile,” concludes Park, “not just for the camera, but for the wonderful life you’ve lived.”

This essay, by Gayatri Srivastava, 16, a student at the Dhirubhai Ambani International School in Mumbai, India, is one of the Top 10 winners of The Learning Network’s “How To” Informational Writing Contest.

How to Find Silence in a Noisy World

“Silence isn’t the absence of noise,” says Suraj Mehta, a railway guard at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. “It’s something you carry within you, even as the world rushes past.” Amid the relentless commotion, Mehta has mastered the art of finding quiet. For 23 years, the heavy clang of metal on tracks and the rhythmic rush of thousands of hurried footsteps have composed the constant soundtrack he hears everyday. “If you wait for the world to quiet down — you’ll never hear silence at all. You must create it within yourself.”

Find stillness within before searching for it elsewhere. It’s about space — space between thoughts, between breaths, between the day’s first rays of light and its demands. Silence exists in these in-between moments, waiting to be discovered. To embrace it, begin with your breath. Inhale deeply, feeling the air expand inside you. Exhale slowly, letting the week’s stress dissolve with it. Relax every muscle in your body, from the top of your head to the tip of your toes. “Before the rush begins, I stand on the platform at dawn and listen to the quiet hum of the tracks,” Mehta says. It’s important to take those minutes for yourself, where it’s just you and the gentle stir of thoughts in your mind.

In a world that demands constant attention, it is easy to forget that silence is a choice. “Noise isn’t just what you hear,” Mehta reflects. “It’s everything that pulls you away from yourself.” Once you’ve found that internal quiet, protect it. Resist the impulse to check, scroll and respond to every buzz. Turn off the notifications on your devices and indulge in digital silence, allowing your mind to breathe free from constant distraction.

“Learn to recognize the quiet moments hidden in plain sight,” advises Mehta. These “pockets” of silence may not last long, but they do exist. The early morning hush before the city wakes up, or the quiet stillness before a curtain rises; train yourself to notice these fleeting interludes. “Sometimes, silence may be something you step into.” A quiet park at sunset, an empty library aisle or a secluded garden bench can offer a moment of stillness.

Perhaps the world will never settle; but if you learn to step back from the noise and let it fade into the background — you’ll realize that silence has been there all along, waiting for you to listen.

This essay, by Aziz AbdullaZoda, 17, a student at the Pomfret School in Pomfret, Conn., is one of the Top 10 winners of The Learning Network’s “How To” Informational Writing Contest.

How to Master the Art of People-Watching

“I’m not spying. I’m observing,” says Taika Ita, a longtime cafe regular in New York City who has spent years watching the city’s stories unfold from the same corner seat. “People think they’re just passing through, but if you sit in one spot long enough, you start to see patterns: who rushes, who got fired, who’s having a good day.” Observing people becomes a skill and a habit. The beauty of it is in paying attention to the unspoken languages of the city. However, make sure to stay invisible: watching without being watched. There is a fine line between keen observation and making someone uncomfortable.

Step one? Pick the right setting. Go-to spots are airports, subway stations and cafes: places where people exist in motion. A coffee shop in the morning has a different story than one in the evening. “People think cities are chaotic, but they run on a schedule,” Ita explains. “You just have to notice it.”

People’s body language reveals everything about them. A woman sitting alone at a cafe, stirring her coffee without drinking it. A man touching his beard every 30 seconds. “You learn to read moods without words,” Ita says. “Confidence, anxiety, boredom — it’s all there if you pay attention.”

The magic of people-watching isn’t just in noticing — it’s in wondering. Every person is a mystery waiting to be discovered. Why is that guy carrying an unreasonably large bouquet? Is it an apology or a grand romantic gesture? Why does the woman in the subway keep staring at the door? Is she expecting someone or trying to escape? The best people-watchers ask questions, even if they never get the answers. The more one wonders, the better one gets at noticing little things about people.

Writers, artists and even detectives have long used observation to find stories, solve mysteries, and make sense of the world. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who created Sherlock Holmes, once wrote, “You see, but you do not observe.” Most people rush through life without really looking at it. But if people slow down and watch, they start to see everything a little differently.

Staring is off-limits, though. The goal isn’t to be intrusive — it’s to appreciate the everyday performances of human nature. Try to take the time to notice the world, one passing stranger at a time.

This essay, by Aditya Neil Banerjee, 16, a student at Stanford Online High School, is one of the Top 10 winners of The Learning Network’s “How To” Informational Writing Contest.

How to Be a Stargazer

“People rush to buy telescopes when they want to start stargazing,” says Kalée Tock, a science instructor with seven years of experience in astronomy. “You’re looking through the telescope, and it’s pitch black, you don’t know where you’re pointing in the sky because the field of view is really small.” A lifelong science enthusiast, Tock encourages beginners to start their journey with what they already have: their eyes. Naked-eye observation allows you to view entire constellations, rather than focusing on just one object at a time.

To get the most out of stargazing, start by finding a comfortable, dark spot. Somewhere away from streetlights and porch bulbs. Tock reminds her students, “You’re outside, at night, alone … kind of sketch!” So do bring a friend or family member along with you. But apart from safety, she says, “Just having someone to be there with you and think about those stars together, it enhances the experience.”

Once you’ve settled in, give your eyes time to adjust to the dark. Tock notes, “Students have a real hard time waiting, even for just 15 minutes,” but stargazing isn’t just about looking up, it’s about having the patience to slow down.

But where should you look? Tock suggests starting with easily-recognizable constellations: the “W” of Cassiopeia, and Orion, with his distinctive red shoulder and blue foot. One of her favorite stars is Delta Cephei in the Cepheus constellation, just to the right of Cassiopeia, which she affectionately calls “our class’s pet star.” You can also use star-locating apps to help guide your gaze, but do turn on the red light filter so your night vision stays intact.

If you’re hoping to spot fainter stars or planets, Tock suggests the averted vision technique. Instead of looking directly at the object, look slightly off to the side. Thanks to the more light-sensitive rods in the edges of your eyes, you’ll see it more clearly than if you stare straight at it.

At its core, stargazing is about reconnecting with the timeless sense of curiosity and wonder. “If all you do today is spot Betelgeuse in the night sky, think about the fact that it might have exploded 100 years ago, and you wouldn’t know about it for centuries until the light reaches you. It’s just kind of mind-bending and fun if you think about it.”

This essay, by Abdur Rahman, 17, a student at Faujdarhat Cadet College in Salimpur, Bangladesh, is one of the Top 10 winners of The Learning Network’s “How To” Informational Writing Contest.

How to Survive as a Manchester United Fan

“Supporting Manchester United is like buying a knockoff jersey with ‘RoonEY10’ stickered at the back,” says Mashrur Rahman Mahir, a 22-year-old from Dhaka, Bangladesh, and a lifelong United devotee. “You know it’s flawed, but you wear it proudly anyway — because therapy’s expensive.” Mahir, whose dorm is plastered with CR7 posters and a “Glazers Out” banner (taped over his ex’s face), embodies United’s holy trinity: hope, delusion and 1 a.m. caffeine shakes. Here’s his ultimate guide on how to survive as a Red Devil.

Start by accepting your irrational love for United — it’s hard-wired in your DNA. “My father supported United because they were kings. I support because I’m a masochist,” Mahir shrugs. “At least we’re consistent. In suffering.” The first rule of survival? Treat every season like a Bollywood plot. There’s drama, tragedy and a guaranteed happy ending … except there’s no happy ending. Just more drama. And Antony spinning.

Dhaka adds its own spice to the misery. Imagine a 1 a.m. kickoff against Burnley, only for the power to die in the 89th minute. “God’s mercy,” Mahir laughs. “He’s sparing us another collapse.” To cope, Dhaka’s fans spin delusion into optimism: Antony’s 360-degree spins are “art,” Onana’s goalkeeping is “bold,” and the Glazers are “just football-lover misunderstood billionaires.” (Note: They’re not.)

Mahir’s advice: “Never watch a match on an empty stomach. You need energy to scream at Maguire’s header. Only to watch the opponents cheering.” Avoid strangers: “If a Chelsea fan sits nearby, samosa them. Self-defense!” During derbies, when City scores their treble, just smirk and ask, “What color is your FA Cup?” They’ll confuse your shattered soul for enlightenment.

Silence speaks volume. After losses, Dhaka’s United fans communicate through WhatsApp stickers of Ferguson’s red face. “Words are overrated,” Mahir says. “A crying emoji says more than Roy Keane’s rants.”

People misunderstand introverts; the world misunderstands United fans. They think we’re “entitled.” We’re just … romantics. Delusional romantics.

But here’s the secret: We’re eternal optimists. We’ll celebrate 2-1 wins over Luton like trebles. We’ll argue that “Europa League Thursdays” are glamorous. And when the Glazers sell? “We’ll party … until Elon Musk rebrands Old Trafford to X Stadium.”

In the end, survival is about pride. “Dhaka’s potholes have more ambition than our midfield,” Mahir grins. “But when asked why I endure this, I say: ‘Someone must.’ Besides, Liverpool fans are so annoying.”

So, light a candle for Fergie, pour a cha for Lisandro’s ACL, and repeat after Mahir: “Next year is our year.”

“Glory Glory”? Na, bhai … cope, cope.