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.

9 M  d6 z3 y2 A$ o- d5 B1 p* R0 sSo here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.
6 z$ `4 M8 r9 k/ u- B* E
Every morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:

Day 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
. p# d9 S! H; D( |3 g, G            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
6 I6 L1 N( ~: A1 H% b            I am fine, thanks!       (You)

Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
% _6 o- \3 X5 g3 t            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)
) k" s/ J! v9 y' n- _; h2 j, d* X
! ?) Y5 K6 v8 }6 ADay 3: Repeat
            Repeat
            Repeat
2 |  F5 z# ^% F8 J# i            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
0 s' R/ H" L/ S7 f* ~* e( d            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)
7 k4 U$ U0 m' ~. i
( v7 M9 F8 H& g; [; P7 w# @; i1 \Next Monday: Repeat
' o: I) L4 D% e% `) A                        Repeat
2 \4 R$ c3 X- g                        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)
3 g) R% c$ w+ `1 M. a                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
, H& H" a) e+ x                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
                        Oh, Pigeon Lake, I have been there once and we caught some good fish.
6 Y9 L5 Q. q: {! |; m) ~                        Really, I don’t know you like fishing, may be you should come with me next time.
0 w9 F# |, j0 Y' U1 Z9 _% d9 |                        Great idea and I will
                        Bla—Bla—Bla
                        Then you see the boss walking by
; l9 f8 m9 L& e; ~  j* @& n                         It is time to stop.
/ T  G! ~5 d: T8 P+ r% M# p                     

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.