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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0 `$ F) D* L8 K, U: l8 L; v5 m* DSo here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.
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4 K1 s+ ^  A  z- Q8 L0 XEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:
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Day 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
/ o# n/ C$ ]6 @            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
7 N) o- }- X7 f  Q% D            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
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Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
6 w7 \+ O/ E& |0 j            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
6 ~& B+ E5 _0 L9 u/ o            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
4 y3 n6 ]5 }1 O' z( z( y            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)
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* L. b: l" D# Y& d4 P; b$ JDay 3: Repeat
            Repeat
            Repeat
, {" g3 }" l  X; H) R! t( s            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)
" F& L* a+ F) x9 Z/ D5 X9 E, Y/ O           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
) V& W4 U. Y, W                        Repeat
                        How was your weekend? (You)
' q* f, y) }: @% ]2 A                        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)
                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
& [- a/ Z: z/ N0 o, K# Q$ q                        Oh, Pigeon Lake, I have been there once and we caught some good fish.
( H  {8 ?6 I( f- h( m/ z                        Really, I don’t know you like fishing, may be you should come with me next time.
$ i1 h: p3 o+ p$ v3 k                        Great idea and I will
                        Bla—Bla—Bla
- ]" Y) l* ^9 N3 Q( y                        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.

8 J1 ^$ K5 s: }- v6 w' U3 _[ 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.