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.

7 e0 b. z5 i, v0 zSo here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.

$ I6 ]- {/ r4 w* r8 K- `Every morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:

0 }  C! O" M# c0 E" |Day 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
- _1 L! S& z6 A& w6 @6 W$ H/ J            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
) n# ?' z. z6 M* l: g9 J! R            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
" m2 P1 g5 e9 f2 S2 z2 B* R
Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
; ?4 ]$ S$ U+ w: V% G& r4 A" Q* D            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
- P+ i5 w! V- s9 X; V' g            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
  F8 R! w. Z$ e1 @            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

Day 3: Repeat
            Repeat
            Repeat
" y: T( k: N: m+ a+ Z. Y6 `            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
' a/ ~/ b9 \: [! ?% s1 F/ B            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)
7 ^. i9 z1 p! o" i" M           Poor you, oh, I wish you have a good weekend, and come back with a good mood. You know what I mean. (You)

/ C1 G5 y9 Q- @4 ]( K: GNext Monday: Repeat
                        Repeat
                        How was your weekend? (You)
! l; @* C& q/ p6 A& x                        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)
; M! ~  R( _, {  q( A. P                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
                        Oh, Pigeon Lake, I have been there once and we caught some good fish.
# U* F1 O. S1 }                        Really, I don’t know you like fishing, may be you should come with me next time.
                        Great idea and I will
: I- Q$ ]( p0 @) `                        Bla—Bla—Bla
                        Then you see the boss walking by
9 T: D( ~: \  X5 _0 ?* P: |                         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.
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[ 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.