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.
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! F& h! \1 `2 U. w1 e, xSo here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.

Every 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)
5 p' n* V8 d& ~+ ^            I am fine, thanks!       (You)

Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
" T8 X) N6 M* ^            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
. i1 T7 _; q( j- i( L            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

Day 3: Repeat
            Repeat
8 x! {) f* ~8 F  m2 Z; g( ?( \# f            Repeat
1 c9 ~0 `: i1 F$ @0 H4 S            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)
           Poor you, oh, I wish you have a good weekend, and come back with a good mood. You know what I mean. (You)
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4 C* \, J! d) d7 iNext Monday: Repeat
. t, f- s# [' `* n& _3 Z* _, h                        Repeat
. s# `7 l7 i3 U1 R! ]# |5 I                        How was your weekend? (You)
6 g9 p  q9 @# u* J2 f                        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)
, h. f' q4 G! i3 |                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
& t+ i1 C8 P. I+ e                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
                        Oh, Pigeon Lake, I have been there once and we caught some good fish.
; Z5 `' y3 S% Y: X                        Really, I don’t know you like fishing, may be you should come with me next time.
- ~3 z3 |9 i) G7 |9 I# k                        Great idea and I will
                        Bla—Bla—Bla
& L# Y; j( d; H- Z2 t; m( E) Z                        Then you see the boss walking by
                         It is time to stop.
                     
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" z5 B# E  Z) f& Z" W0 `! fThe above mentioned examples are under daily small talks or gossip category.  The serious business conversation will be with another topic.
0 k6 q' ^0 ^% l# QAnd I advise everyone should find the way that works best for her/him.
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) V  q9 H% {8 d; ]9 Z[ 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.