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.

' i& J! ~* |  \9 G& }Every morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:
/ B. S/ k. U  |  t, ~
Day 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
- P& u; e- ^" J& I& A0 V            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
            I am fine, thanks!       (You)

Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
+ ^, r' P6 k* D3 c            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)
1 d' }, ^6 E  |% q  G% A
Day 3: Repeat
6 l+ }/ e! t0 _4 K7 d            Repeat
# u9 H5 V. t" |& Q9 c            Repeat
            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
' _, s( S- E# F3 E            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
2 e) m: p6 y, z* s/ K            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)
- k/ B4 J' N# I1 \' U+ h1 E: N           Poor you, oh, I wish you have a good weekend, and come back with a good mood. You know what I mean. (You)

* t9 b. h; S+ t, PNext Monday: Repeat
- }" P/ t  X) G) _                        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)
5 \" V( |0 b) t# Y, R3 ~                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
/ o9 ~, J4 D( g' k                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
& h5 G: I1 u! l) d4 V3 l# _                        Oh, Pigeon Lake, I have been there once and we caught some good fish.
) n5 ~' X1 l$ `( h9 V                        Really, I don’t know you like fishing, may be you should come with me next time.
1 ]- r! d6 e* X; W& p                        Great idea and I will
                        Bla—Bla—Bla
                        Then you see the boss walking by
5 C7 u8 c5 m9 Z* x- ~" j  J" z2 g                         It is time to stop.
# B4 U( k1 {! ~0 i                     
' _$ ~1 {0 Z  I5 p0 f
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.
- H# D! Y6 O) C' O9 F1 Y% u5 P3 i6 l
[ 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.