Cold War

Matrix

I would like to take this chance to talk about the issues of how to make a last and profound conversation with locals since some friends have complained that they only have the ability to do the short talks with co-workers or strangers. I call the short talk the Cold War, meaning it is a long last personal struggle or an impossible mission. I still remember I have encountered few embarrass seniors few years ago, but things are getting better year after year. Since this summer, I start to feel very comfortable as I chat with people I met every day. For example, I need to find some info around the place I just moved in. While I was driving around the blocks this afternoon, I saw a good lady was mending her yard. She was the only person I can find, so I decided to talk to this lady. I parked the car and greeted to her. I asked her about the neighborhood such as banks, supermarkets and so on. She answered me with her best capability. Then she invited me to her condo to have a little chat. She wrote down some of the contact names and the numbers of her friends in case I need more help and told me about few neighbor’s stories. At the end, I got plenty of information than I intended to. It all came very natural and our conversation was quite enjoyable.

So here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.

* ]% _% U2 Y, ?9 w# @1 Y7 g+ iEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:

Day 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
3 J/ y) x" J+ v3 c2 C            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
            I am fine, thanks!       (You)

4 h9 w$ V/ q+ {8 iDay 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
  D% x6 P) N+ Z; s! R4 ^4 r5 W            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
: h' g/ f" r5 M6 Y4 U            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
" ^# Z/ j6 q7 V$ L6 d% v" Q0 U            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

/ q4 D; k6 `9 F6 f; M$ [: QDay 3: Repeat
            Repeat
            Repeat
            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
- D8 F: Q; L7 \4 h* M            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
            Oh, ya, I am going to visit my mother-in-law even I hates her, but my husband will make me to see her. (Co-worker)
           Poor you, oh, I wish you have a good weekend, and come back with a good mood. You know what I mean. (You)
4 o: g# H5 h  z7 L
- F/ U5 W7 B2 `% q6 J0 oNext Monday: Repeat
: ]( H1 k/ Z8 T                        Repeat
                        How was your weekend? (You)
                        Not bad. My mother-in-law was so tolerable this time, and she made a big super. So we all sit outside and enjoyed the beautiful day with family. (Co-worker)
                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
7 O6 ]+ z/ u" C' b4 L! a) D, z7 _- ?                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
                        Oh, Pigeon Lake, I have been there once and we caught some good fish.
0 {- m$ C! l9 P( H                        Really, I don’t know you like fishing, may be you should come with me next time.
                        Great idea and I will
% ]9 f7 _8 }# v& l% g4 I/ j                        Bla—Bla—Bla
& F1 c4 Z3 |) a+ B4 t+ ?                        Then you see the boss walking by
( _$ A6 y) v( C* R( y1 [9 i( h$ Y                         It is time to stop.
3 c" s. l, @1 `2 |6 C                     

2 v% ~! F+ J# b* P& y( @4 xThe above mentioned examples are under daily small talks or gossip category.  The serious business conversation will be with another topic.
And I advise everyone should find the way that works best for her/him.
6 y$ K' z- G9 s+ U- V9 ?
[ 本帖最后由 Matrix 于 2008-8-27 23:47 编辑 ]

billzhao

Excellent! and some flowers for you to show my great appreciation.