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.

7 D! y; K5 n6 r0 a0 k3 N- SEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:
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' J( |$ t% ~, _Day 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
* M3 ^1 e) S3 N! K2 t( F            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
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  l% d; G' }  l  b; b7 UDay 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
% e8 S$ B' y3 I            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)
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Day 3: Repeat
  H; g1 f) d) k- K' T" m            Repeat
( @$ K# m0 r7 b- t+ Z% y2 u            Repeat
6 d) m  ?& y  B# V( S1 o( Y0 m5 U) \            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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& u3 O+ ~. h' {1 mNext Monday: Repeat
$ N  s. k8 g8 Z                        Repeat
                        How was your weekend? (You)
1 H* J* E! X* p0 ]                        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)
; Z4 z( i  l7 [6 f0 u1 n' z                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
+ G6 a& e, f, O  W& [                        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.
                        Great idea and I will
                        Bla—Bla—Bla
                        Then you see the boss walking by
2 O. q# [' `2 w$ y8 i4 H1 A                         It is time to stop.
                     
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& G+ {5 g; T# M$ e6 P: kThe above mentioned examples are under daily small talks or gossip category.  The serious business conversation will be with another topic.
6 X. ?% s# G/ Y/ w8 b" T8 u2 KAnd I advise everyone should find the way that works best for her/him.

[ 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.