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.

: R) [, u/ i5 R7 ?( f, WSo here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.

Every morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:
  W2 O, P' T. v+ ]
2 A$ l: D4 h2 T& MDay 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
* z: O- k% C' y* b7 P% m            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
% R4 _; {# V. X  m0 I            I am fine, thanks!       (You)

0 W: d6 d: y' {% C6 ~0 G2 E. b$ ODay 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
* d" ?: K+ _( Y& J            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
: ~) q1 E% g5 K            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

Day 3: Repeat
+ r, Z4 \. R0 b6 v6 `9 R6 V+ g2 D, I: z            Repeat
) A5 s6 E! r: ^8 k7 D- l4 f            Repeat
& D: a3 E, Z' C* e            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)
8 q; V  v5 E- ]6 {+ V           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
: @: d/ X9 k, @- p" b                        Repeat
                        How was your weekend? (You)
/ w8 T) ]/ P. X- }( ~8 W5 m  i                        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)
6 \6 ?: D2 F0 n7 a                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
! [' L# Y7 e1 X4 E, J1 p' b# \* s                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
                        Oh, Pigeon Lake, I have been there once and we caught some good fish.
                        Really, I don’t know you like fishing, may be you should come with me next time.
5 \) e: p* I3 p0 [6 s7 _8 j. |                        Great idea and I will
                        Bla—Bla—Bla
* U$ X  d9 K+ D4 V3 K8 I                        Then you see the boss walking by
- J, r0 A+ Y5 e0 n" e                         It is time to stop.
! T: h& ~9 y9 j( I% u/ C! {' _                     
: f6 U) N( A8 ~; `
) O/ l" ^' ~2 n/ g3 BThe 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.
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/ c$ @% C7 x3 S$ r# f4 Y+ w* z( I' |[ 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.