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.

So here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.

5 \" P9 C1 r" s& D3 u3 T2 h% oEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:
' W( C  D( S# `2 C: P$ k
Day 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
; w8 ^4 h- ]4 L* q! v            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
2 b5 J! A7 l, Y& \6 i2 k( r! j
& M4 F* _) K' @( @1 [% SDay 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
% E. z' q2 j  W+ Q            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
8 r1 G, E0 m  |: `" C5 O4 t+ H            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

' x% t& K5 s$ P! I8 a# UDay 3: Repeat
            Repeat
            Repeat
) Y. O, Z$ q' {            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)
$ i# {. P5 n  ~9 o9 _# r           Poor you, oh, I wish you have a good weekend, and come back with a good mood. You know what I mean. (You)

! s& c6 U. [4 b  s# Q: d  zNext Monday: Repeat
/ E8 I" B. n  ^7 P3 R                        Repeat
* t' o3 Z; k' E( d+ B; v+ y& I4 O                        How was your weekend? (You)
, k/ I( V3 ~! x0 I; X                        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)
/ j* q  x. N. 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.
                        Great idea and I will
; w, n4 E. H; O6 M) `7 o                        Bla—Bla—Bla
0 k' W; @/ \* A) S; r9 {, k                        Then you see the boss walking by
/ C9 Z7 ~( z/ R* X$ P7 u$ |                         It is time to stop.
) R5 g$ M- P$ w$ W0 N1 B                     

: d+ H5 c  ?0 g. w/ H/ wThe 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.

[ 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.