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.

& o2 U9 _  R; |' O* o4 ESo here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.
6 N% ]/ Q% |; G+ k) R' K
- M& `6 K0 N3 k6 `9 i. n2 V5 Z4 nEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:

$ M% S, ]) t  Y7 `: XDay 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
( x4 M: k' t# L& t            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
- G) I9 ~) ^0 i1 W            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
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5 V! I: v; U% ^" wDay 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
: |9 B7 X6 M0 c& b" P            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
            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)
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Day 3: Repeat
            Repeat
5 J. [( i/ V4 \! ?) @            Repeat
# G( _* D4 e5 P( O# O% ]            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)
# L* ]3 C5 D9 \4 @+ u           Poor you, oh, I wish you have a good weekend, and come back with a good mood. You know what I mean. (You)

1 |" U" x' d% w% K. }Next Monday: Repeat
  g4 r- l8 i) K7 d5 g: f7 n                        Repeat
                        How was your weekend? (You)
1 [$ E+ p- t" c- q- ~# v                        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)
! b" l& I; u- B                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
& c! `9 p0 k$ l  h  m                        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.
$ g+ n$ A  K, L7 e; O0 M5 U6 I. x                        Great idea and I will
) h( N' ?& {: x: z5 e                        Bla—Bla—Bla
) a* C+ |$ L' m: Z5 b, I8 F+ f7 _) U3 [                        Then you see the boss walking by
                         It is time to stop.
( Q" b$ m/ A1 E! V, d4 a                     

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.

[ 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.