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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2 e7 C# V8 S% ESo here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.
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0 f' k. V7 p& V9 N% ~Every morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:

; }" c! ~) g) S$ _- K# }' vDay 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
* k5 p) |2 H0 f( G+ P% g/ I: v            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
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2 d) K+ c: v( D+ S9 w* qDay 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
  j" ~2 R6 \4 x            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
+ O) Y5 x+ ~( m* {            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)
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Day 3: Repeat
            Repeat
% {& {6 N! K: W) J            Repeat
            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
0 O7 g! q7 ~* c& Z) u            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
( U# q) b; ^9 S  N4 ~  w! t2 S* ^            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)
$ B! h9 N& Z1 k) K9 b           Poor you, oh, I wish you have a good weekend, and come back with a good mood. You know what I mean. (You)

& Q9 P* R' ~2 TNext Monday: Repeat
                        Repeat
                        How was your weekend? (You)
# M/ G/ d/ a# i9 L                        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)
* a" y* Q! B9 w$ F$ K: i                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
                        Oh, Pigeon Lake, I have been there once and we caught some good fish.
& B& S6 P  Q/ c( c- M# M% O, [$ A                        Really, I don’t know you like fishing, may be you should come with me next time.
9 J! C; ^: P) V                        Great idea and I will
; C1 n# C6 C3 i3 n: s                        Bla—Bla—Bla
                        Then you see the boss walking by
                         It is time to stop.
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4 k% N: _* u* Q; s! {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.

7 p7 M5 j( E1 v- }# e3 t' k[ 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.