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.

So here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.
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Every morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:
( |  S: C& ?& z4 }' j
Day 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
3 O+ s0 G# R' l) t& o7 X            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
/ W, A6 L2 w* v. a            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
& }( h1 z) n0 R% h
& n6 X' u" M6 R4 Y0 BDay 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
# j( Q# ~, J( T            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
6 C6 L; [) p& k            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
- l. Z: Q5 Y) O8 ?0 c- \            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
& Z; L$ f/ D& c& p5 b9 s            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

4 }" ]  T5 {& g4 m: ]* Q/ pDay 3: Repeat
            Repeat
* f  j1 J5 E: g& G; U5 u            Repeat
+ Q+ b. a$ f4 m2 w3 T            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
1 J( o+ i% D& n; f            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
* X6 o0 H8 K6 H/ r, Z. U) x            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)

! `* o; g: Z( ]5 MNext Monday: Repeat
& F% _$ E' G  b                        Repeat
                        How was your weekend? (You)
: }4 f/ p. }2 Y8 @- F9 x                        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)
$ D# E( o4 t# I, B; R5 u. ~  @                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
                        Oh, Pigeon Lake, I have been there once and we caught some good fish.
& v: E  x" Z* E6 n2 A                        Really, I don’t know you like fishing, may be you should come with me next time.
! [, f% a* i, s  g, U6 S                        Great idea and I will
3 }9 q" \7 l9 s  }+ u3 c                        Bla—Bla—Bla
                        Then you see the boss walking by
                         It is time to stop.
                     
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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.