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.
/ M( E- h6 P" \# y2 x- f
So here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.

9 h; j  A- b. R7 MEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:

: V" S$ M+ z$ kDay 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
8 d- P6 S1 C! `4 ]8 U; o- N            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
            I am fine, thanks!       (You)

Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
# c# C, p. N2 L            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
- F1 E; j$ {/ i+ x  z            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

  V7 D! ]& C( HDay 3: Repeat
* y  E/ U3 a! N& t# v            Repeat
: \  s9 |, z& X7 B3 Y1 G            Repeat
1 p" j* @+ Z( `6 d( i7 b: r& d            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
$ U) V5 @. w# I4 H) A            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)
+ R2 p4 x4 ~* v, T           Poor you, oh, I wish you have a good weekend, and come back with a good mood. You know what I mean. (You)
+ y6 E0 \% t' q
- O5 X7 E' F( }2 `8 _Next Monday: Repeat
0 t& |- J; G4 C3 p- G                        Repeat
! U) T$ `0 b7 o                        How was your weekend? (You)
+ f- Y1 m+ u/ F8 K. Y                        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)
* ^9 |1 X5 ~- v+ w                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
! r( d! Z8 O& a" u. i/ T+ @                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
' B) `! c/ Y% S, w9 i) J  i$ k9 R% l                        Oh, Pigeon Lake, I have been there once and we caught some good fish.
# v6 A/ ?8 ]5 Q$ s$ {2 e  ?                        Really, I don’t know you like fishing, may be you should come with me next time.
! w1 |& L9 \" x                        Great idea and I will
  c0 |' N1 R& n9 O. K$ k/ V, ?                        Bla—Bla—Bla
, v& h' l8 R  W( G- s                        Then you see the boss walking by
                         It is time to stop.
                     

$ ~/ ~  Y/ S  w6 H4 c+ V. CThe above mentioned examples are under daily small talks or gossip category.  The serious business conversation will be with another topic.
8 f) z1 B' S, a1 }+ PAnd 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.