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.

! ^4 ?7 v) _8 F0 `9 v) F( oSo here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.
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0 G3 e) }% _( ZEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:

' P9 M7 i2 U7 P, k8 ^+ fDay 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
0 f- w; a$ v9 m" C" O. O* \, [! B5 o            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
. o5 s+ o& y8 x; g$ }0 C
( g7 b( _$ `8 \# HDay 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
3 z# W: [3 N  s8 G* i            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
. E1 y! j3 V& l. U1 T3 o8 p            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
9 \( |0 `9 l1 Z# ^) Z7 w* U; k* w            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

Day 3: Repeat
; g% z' R+ h  u            Repeat
            Repeat
            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
9 A$ p, b0 j% p5 s4 T9 b0 H            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
8 ~+ @- c8 {! ]3 w            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)
1 m. I7 S8 x% M           Poor you, oh, I wish you have a good weekend, and come back with a good mood. You know what I mean. (You)

Next Monday: Repeat
                        Repeat
                        How was your weekend? (You)
. Y6 E6 A1 @7 Q" a' A) s                        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)
/ M5 _! g" C, E( F4 P                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
5 y9 ?- j" L/ x                        Oh, Pigeon Lake, I have been there once and we caught some good fish.
9 i" K. k) b! S2 ~# W, S                        Really, I don’t know you like fishing, may be you should come with me next time.
                        Great idea and I will
                        Bla—Bla—Bla
6 ]* Y/ [: `; ~9 v" x( J3 H                        Then you see the boss walking by
1 I: n7 E1 \, D% i                         It is time to stop.
. J' ]8 ]/ H0 e7 b                     

The 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.
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3 G3 Q# E% q: p" g5 [[ 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.