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.

* }! ]! }( L; }4 |. pEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:

( t) F! m% E3 ?) DDay 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
) a8 X( R. i+ K8 [4 \, `* z            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
            I am fine, thanks!       (You)

Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
! _" b+ I* \& }/ ~7 S            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
+ l0 p) h4 {0 D0 C# \1 M" J. ]: J* \            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
$ T! l* ]; o; N  w' ]; ]7 y5 W4 A4 T: e            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

- l4 a: U6 e3 tDay 3: Repeat
            Repeat
  I( K' y1 o, ?6 e2 A4 L            Repeat
* v7 A9 d+ E! E  }8 t& m5 Q2 N5 S            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
' M6 L  g* [2 r            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)
$ M9 Y# D5 Y7 h2 p7 X/ g( w           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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( y( v" `! X% ~& l8 gNext Monday: Repeat
& V) M# n( j$ Y% D& F/ b                        Repeat
! I+ g% u# a, a6 _9 k                        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)
6 T( {# a/ i4 I2 \                        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.
$ R' I8 S' }; l9 M                        Really, I don’t know you like fishing, may be you should come with me next time.
                        Great idea and I will
; I* S  C; E1 p  g, {, a/ `                        Bla—Bla—Bla
' N1 x, e0 |4 K- U' d' G# K3 M( a2 ~                        Then you see the boss walking by
                         It is time to stop.
                     

2 j/ l, a# e2 O6 \* @. {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.
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[ 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.