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.
. Q  ]) G5 a- B. o. m
! B6 j* k, [( dSo here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.

! S% f+ b$ ?: |  W) O0 kEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:

Day 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
+ Z/ a4 D8 e. S3 L3 D/ t! N            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
) o3 E( S! ]1 `% g7 ], n
, z. c( _( ~+ ~% @Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
- w. ~( J( }* v# a6 T+ Q3 B            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
$ {6 ^# q, c# k) G, A            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
; z9 h+ t8 S7 m$ v) h            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)
9 G( [3 ^: F& q  G& \1 d
; {. A4 q- w5 M) E! Y: b# g; J/ hDay 3: Repeat
5 r4 T8 R( v! R& P/ @* K2 R7 d/ M            Repeat
            Repeat
  e+ b7 e5 E9 Z6 ]3 o            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
% s4 E) q! ~4 {" P" @% H9 F            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
1 W7 }( m* e" k  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)
$ ?/ t! s0 h! Z( s. ]& U' P' I           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)
$ d3 z( e( V4 G' d( L  `% h                        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.
6 r" {1 U1 \- V! n- T* v                        Really, I don’t know you like fishing, may be you should come with me next time.
                        Great idea and I will
                        Bla—Bla—Bla
                        Then you see the boss walking by
                         It is time to stop.
                     
: M5 U0 A' Q6 c5 L. e# ?/ K! _
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.

+ @3 F$ }3 M$ l) W1 H) W3 n0 T[ 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.