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.

; P1 g. ^9 j$ @. u  k% rSo 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:
: P$ j% K! }+ d
Day 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
+ E- P" d4 j8 G+ G9 I; z) ]& h            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
+ n* t8 F: v. {8 @5 m* t            I am fine, thanks!       (You)

Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
9 a9 ~& z, W( ~. _; a            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
/ u2 a4 l# z( E) `, D            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
( I, Y9 j- Z6 k  l5 h. _            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

# a( m" ]8 ^+ ?+ N4 r& }Day 3: Repeat
            Repeat
, i/ @/ b& G! ^. b; d            Repeat
& s& ]; h0 I. t  z, U, \5 v4 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)
) F( S1 I2 L0 H           Poor you, oh, I wish you have a good weekend, and come back with a good mood. You know what I mean. (You)

& f4 L1 ]  M2 w) HNext Monday: Repeat
                        Repeat
2 I# x- Y7 y6 W$ |; Q                        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 ^% o, |. O+ V+ q                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
3 X: v  ^5 Q7 I2 V5 O# Y0 @% A/ }& d                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
* A- g) s  H+ U( {                        Oh, Pigeon Lake, I have been there once and we caught some good fish.
2 t" R+ \3 ]) ^) J! q+ ^' C- T                        Really, I don’t know you like fishing, may be you should come with me next time.
                        Great idea and I will
$ o& ?$ ~5 K5 }$ b2 U! a                        Bla—Bla—Bla
( t9 b- |; f$ x9 [2 B8 @+ H                        Then you see the boss walking by
                         It is time to stop.
                     

. f& A& r8 Y, Z. h* p9 _- c1 W% kThe above mentioned examples are under daily small talks or gossip category.  The serious business conversation will be with another topic.
8 w$ Y8 u4 l! o# D9 L: C- LAnd 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.