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.
& V: O; P7 ~: I- A. a( O& Y  l: B- i
5 U% R- b' w( p6 T3 B, x( w8 FEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:

2 T7 s$ K4 t8 l. ^Day 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
! v5 H7 \: u; ?3 v. u1 s* D            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
            I am fine, thanks!       (You)

Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
2 T9 u# D, v5 P6 M- W5 T; s            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
8 ?: \" ^6 X) q$ O            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
) {# U$ o, x& T, o            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

  y8 d7 \( k/ l0 }, RDay 3: Repeat
# ^- r, r. m. f            Repeat
            Repeat
5 o* T$ ]2 m+ i) G            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
: X" A4 }( r- k3 D& Z* R6 L' N            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
3 x+ C* o/ i* e4 {8 a/ F. ~( z% @( 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)
1 E1 C2 R0 x! |6 U/ l- h           Poor you, oh, I wish you have a good weekend, and come back with a good mood. You know what I mean. (You)

Next 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)
8 s8 v- x, n4 ^4 P( g% Q; J# `                        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.
- l  R6 A6 `8 f% Y4 L                        Really, I don’t know you like fishing, may be you should come with me next time.
  U/ @8 i; L/ N6 M! }5 M4 G                        Great idea and I will
                        Bla—Bla—Bla
8 m& U- K' l6 d1 O                        Then you see the boss walking by
                         It is time to stop.
                     

% j& S# S$ W5 d# e, E% b3 QThe 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.

[ 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.