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.
) M! N% r; X- L1 X9 h/ m
# C" ~# E+ g% |: S/ kSo 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:
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Day 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
7 l  }! j6 g/ W, F2 n2 d& a            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
/ n; f) P" I) j$ D1 |8 a
( Z5 u. H7 V% ]" P. w: T  O8 {Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
9 ?1 I5 |1 }& ^2 `/ V            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
- q5 i5 e% |. \. B            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
1 m1 h' _& A$ u0 v/ `/ w            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

Day 3: Repeat
' ?+ \( K0 l1 q9 W. W            Repeat
. }; t3 G2 u5 `) c% h& O            Repeat
$ O, {! G& k# x7 T. R9 F5 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)
) V* M' t6 t0 s( S3 y           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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6 ?" `) N1 G7 E9 l, Q. x8 Q: ^Next Monday: Repeat
/ Z  T$ |5 E5 b! s! L                        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)
1 i1 @- K* G7 q, Q) [1 A  G                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
6 h# T* {' K1 c2 h7 N0 q                        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
/ q! D: J. }0 t3 u                         It is time to stop.
                     

0 C  Z  B/ x/ W+ [; J' @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.

& r% C; g+ R! V5 i, F[ 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.