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.
3 }' k3 ]  f8 x
4 J6 Q! m# p/ x! xEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:
# x8 {  y. ~  }6 ^1 g
4 X0 C2 b" W- E8 E, wDay 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
0 m  X1 Q$ P+ U4 P- ]/ p9 Y7 T            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
            I am fine, thanks!       (You)

! E$ w: F) H; j' u$ r- TDay 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
0 A& }. m, p' P( j/ E            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
' _) ?) Z, k" B            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)
1 \: X" Z9 w. m
+ G8 m  w4 T# ^+ n, Q8 K) KDay 3: Repeat
: N2 c* `9 y& A# g! w            Repeat
  a" x: K! R7 Q            Repeat
            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
1 f8 j2 @* G$ f" c9 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)
6 `  Z0 f1 V- Z4 \1 e& C0 F& Y/ x
: @) n, A7 f* E& }' j0 |Next Monday: Repeat
                        Repeat
                        How was your weekend? (You)
9 C5 D9 ^7 f5 o8 t: K& U                        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)
6 ~6 Z$ l# T/ H                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
                        Oh, Pigeon Lake, I have been there once and we caught some good fish.
9 o4 h( ^! a' j; s9 ?4 k                        Really, I don’t know you like fishing, may be you should come with me next time.
' l) J' r7 f: h6 \: o; v                        Great idea and I will
1 `( @* W1 n4 e  j. R4 `                        Bla—Bla—Bla
                        Then you see the boss walking by
                         It is time to stop.
$ ^4 l' b! j; X" j+ g                     
* w; V8 z: Y% k
# k( t1 ~/ E, o) X) tThe above mentioned examples are under daily small talks or gossip category.  The serious business conversation will be with another topic.
: e& c3 _" a& P( }6 w; g/ mAnd I advise everyone should find the way that works best for her/him.

[ 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.