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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So here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.
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; @( p3 U$ s& d/ ?4 GEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:

Day 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
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# |  {6 X0 g1 c0 k6 eDay 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
/ a# W/ O% W+ ]/ O- O+ j            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
7 C6 x7 ]" o3 j( j: ~            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
+ L9 Q' V: j6 J& a& V            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

9 i/ ^. h; ~% {2 |3 f: c  tDay 3: Repeat
, t, o3 i% [! `2 e            Repeat
            Repeat
5 [- i! J  V3 i/ L            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
. w) C- C9 L* a8 Z3 s0 x            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
' B; H3 z8 t1 a            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)
: v/ x' i4 v' W           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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! F# K" L$ M: CNext Monday: Repeat
                        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)
1 ~0 s1 Q& R, O7 _2 u5 {6 ~+ q                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
' Q; d1 |' A) R* \                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
/ s2 D% h, D4 T: M* i                        Oh, Pigeon Lake, I have been there once and we caught some good fish.
                        Really, I don’t know you like fishing, may be you should come with me next time.
) f+ X( Q, E4 c                        Great idea and I will
                        Bla—Bla—Bla
                        Then you see the boss walking by
. ^6 v- s. j6 D5 X4 {                         It is time to stop.
                     
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4 H) n) |3 S  p5 J6 ~8 a2 d% vThe 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.

" W/ U* L! @, V: a6 g[ 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.