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.

8 e$ S6 ^& M7 H& C# |So here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.
8 X' `4 Z1 k. y# }. D
3 H/ F! e4 ?1 j3 O- R4 PEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:

Day 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
* h! B6 [; g/ a. s            I am fine, thanks!       (You)

Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
" K" m( m9 H* u            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
# H6 c% x- [. C7 B4 C            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

Day 3: Repeat
6 G3 h9 Z& p) e2 X. l2 _; X9 W            Repeat
            Repeat
; E$ `+ {8 v5 b( F7 N  }. p            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
4 ?7 a) c% Y- ]            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
2 e. Z* T  }5 a8 Y, z  t            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)
) R; R7 A- M) n/ T4 k1 m           Poor you, oh, I wish you have a good weekend, and come back with a good mood. You know what I mean. (You)
, Q0 G" R( M( u
Next Monday: Repeat
                        Repeat
                        How was your weekend? (You)
$ Y4 |& s! _7 g7 o/ ~                        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)
8 [/ ~9 m- H. b8 {9 O$ z) U                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
% F4 L# O' F, Z" B* f4 V                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
8 J* V8 a8 f! U9 p: x% c- p4 w                        Oh, Pigeon Lake, I have been there once and we caught some good fish.
: O% Y+ A& l( G                        Really, I don’t know you like fishing, may be you should come with me next time.
% k' @3 d' t  I3 i                        Great idea and I will
                        Bla—Bla—Bla
                        Then you see the boss walking by
) S8 v# p/ g2 e+ D                         It is time to stop.
                     
0 N# F2 }) d" S& A7 s! T' i
The above mentioned examples are under daily small talks or gossip category.  The serious business conversation will be with another topic.
- {9 z, \: y* H' u& K/ n; }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.