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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Every 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)
# v$ {8 r7 \# z" P' d            I am fine, thanks!       (You)

1 W- X# Z- L4 R+ Z$ _+ ~. S7 g8 J  ]( X7 |Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
) Y: c  h7 ]7 _$ a0 l8 [            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
7 f& l- J- v" j            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
+ G" n6 [/ u2 b5 }; ]            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
/ q' s+ t% ^0 N0 t$ T' B: p            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

0 o: m" J# @3 O' y- \( dDay 3: Repeat
& ]6 `" J% p9 P7 w4 {& Q' ~. \, G            Repeat
            Repeat
2 |" p' \0 q7 |% \3 A' ?            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
            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)
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Next Monday: Repeat
                        Repeat
& m) ]! G, K6 C; g4 r% `                        How was your weekend? (You)
  ^" o* f  m/ ^3 Z# O. u6 z7 I+ K                        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)
2 r/ @, N7 k5 {7 q, u0 K+ `1 `                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
4 U0 A5 |: O' f                        Oh, Pigeon Lake, I have been there once and we caught some good fish.
3 `5 V3 O5 m8 K9 {" m+ ?                        Really, I don’t know you like fishing, may be you should come with me next time.
0 i* ]- F. E0 c  Y                        Great idea and I will
6 T$ w6 V" s1 `( u" r                        Bla—Bla—Bla
2 h! c  `) W( v% Z  `                        Then you see the boss walking by
                         It is time to stop.
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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.

; M2 P7 y1 D! A  A[ 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.