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.

$ ]( Q1 j7 }$ C7 iSo here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.
' _; L) W* V2 @
% t1 ?4 y% k  [4 z) T% l' W. C. v; AEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:

! M5 _3 z8 E1 ZDay 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
( m. y, i$ Z3 Y/ V! J7 B
Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
" j% V( w" H; T9 x+ c            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
7 h0 P5 x7 r" e1 v4 k8 q            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

, X5 [: z( c6 L, ?8 T& Q% k6 F/ ?Day 3: Repeat
5 O& G0 z4 ~2 o& y! G% I$ E5 F            Repeat
) W1 f" g& w5 O3 |- c+ v            Repeat
            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
0 T4 @! B1 {6 c" d            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)
( M+ q8 z* ]" f           Poor you, oh, I wish you have a good weekend, and come back with a good mood. You know what I mean. (You)

5 g3 q- F; s8 B$ I6 F$ t. }4 @Next Monday: Repeat
                        Repeat
: Q7 |$ m8 k, u3 i! Z! ^; D                        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)
                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
8 ]3 c) f* T5 W  f7 q- f! J$ G5 v                        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.
0 K6 o8 o  `! L; Q6 [7 E1 t+ o" r7 Z                        Great idea and I will
6 s1 s9 m& H8 Z# o                        Bla—Bla—Bla
0 t2 R6 x1 j4 D' E* Q' w9 a, C* K                        Then you see the boss walking by
6 P& c  \1 n" E+ V" ~                         It is time to stop.
                     

/ L8 a. u2 l# lThe above mentioned examples are under daily small talks or gossip category.  The serious business conversation will be with another topic.
3 }4 H1 S$ ^0 V# ?) NAnd 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.