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.
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7 O% B4 U. b7 R! b( iSo here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.
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' w" p/ A* M/ {9 b) wEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:
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: z, j4 C% H0 j  M1 T0 EDay 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
, F. y7 P2 a4 ^( t$ y! o            I am fine, thanks!       (You)

Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
8 K( a. G9 ]9 E/ }3 [            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
3 y, l8 e. x+ t" A' D0 g' [            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
4 R9 ?- b2 Z2 G; d            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)
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Day 3: Repeat
            Repeat
            Repeat
& M1 k7 i; k/ D* }8 ~/ e8 [0 `: S            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
3 w- s& f! ~, x: k# ?7 {            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
5 Z0 M7 f6 t4 O/ c            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)
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Next Monday: Repeat
                        Repeat
$ t2 @" t0 s' {1 |3 b                        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)
/ B9 X. @' t' M! o8 I( C                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
3 `3 i% N8 q3 E0 k" b                        Oh, Pigeon Lake, I have been there once and we caught some good fish.
) ~6 ?6 j0 J1 }7 n  d' m                        Really, I don’t know you like fishing, may be you should come with me next time.
, A# W: W! M5 F: a2 d$ M                        Great idea and I will
9 K  d- V. B2 [  C                        Bla—Bla—Bla
                        Then you see the boss walking by
5 o7 S) j1 r% G( s: h                         It is time to stop.
                     

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.

1 q( r/ ?: ?& D6 L[ 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.