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:
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4 a  S( T/ c, i0 U& KDay 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
. w! h! ]/ t! z. j. I# b            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
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Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
/ A4 c3 _6 r1 C( _- v6 R            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
* V, n9 ?2 I' f7 x8 w& ~8 a+ U            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
% ]+ z3 h0 }/ e0 M# {0 o; R3 m            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
$ }2 A, }3 c, \1 ]3 s7 J) a- ?( b            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)
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/ L( D  P! E( u8 o0 P% B; NDay 3: Repeat
  c3 C0 u5 {& C            Repeat
% i# q5 h+ h5 C) z: \# l( L+ ~& K            Repeat
            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
/ g# m0 O# F% P2 X            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
( C) t# }' p1 q8 b5 r. Z: \; u, r            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)
" Y9 N/ _, K& e3 {3 {* g           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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$ r& @% N2 u- n: @" hNext Monday: Repeat
$ v$ d' {% ~5 d& `                        Repeat
                        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)
+ B' D* c+ r- g* P; D  ?                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
' [& T/ k" A- B. o" R                        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.
8 g4 R, m8 U, U& p0 r$ @) n; z                        Great idea and I will
1 m/ o3 I. a( [. a                        Bla—Bla—Bla
                        Then you see the boss walking by
: H  `. r# G3 X/ m9 c                         It is time to stop.
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3 X- F3 \, P) @$ DThe 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.
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8 Z- ]; L7 \5 u[ 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.