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.

3 o! }* T& t& l6 @3 GSo here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.

! u9 R6 d% O, B/ c5 f4 O3 qEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:
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Day 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
9 F! Z% M8 K8 F7 l0 K            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
. H5 d8 P1 [" }5 D0 y+ O            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
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Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
! @* S, l* U3 w* t9 T2 q3 m4 S            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
  |; q* K* |5 G( i9 M9 G            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)
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0 o7 F, r" R) Z* x5 T  zDay 3: Repeat
            Repeat
1 B9 O' I+ T: h+ J            Repeat
            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
  d7 D6 i+ F) S5 @) H8 `            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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& B+ \0 [5 s& s9 ^Next Monday: Repeat
                        Repeat
. m+ W' o* h7 K# X) W' n1 A                        How was your weekend? (You)
                        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)
4 j" f- |" C7 A) A, n3 y                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
1 Z3 F. x, L& t6 ], |/ `* c$ \                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
, v* b2 ?8 }2 |( i1 n, O                        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.
  k0 o4 Q, c1 x. z                        Great idea and I will
. Z# \" z! ?. p                        Bla—Bla—Bla
                        Then you see the boss walking by
                         It is time to stop.
1 L6 Y4 X; p6 `% U                     

The above mentioned examples are under daily small talks or gossip category.  The serious business conversation will be with another topic.
2 ^0 K; i6 \9 C* @1 |. SAnd I advise everyone should find the way that works best for her/him.
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; X# h& P9 M; M1 F$ q[ 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.