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.
# ^! A' K1 G) s$ C' }/ I
So 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:
% J: {! d+ {! c2 B% L# e  y2 ]
' B( f% s: n7 XDay 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
            I am fine, thanks!       (You)

) ]. V" P6 W2 i7 XDay 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
) c7 d, M9 ]! f1 U            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
2 u; h0 D0 Y+ j            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
  v9 {' a% f7 }8 [# k            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

  m9 y  X# R( _Day 3: Repeat
+ `) Z1 n# B+ |            Repeat
            Repeat
$ }' n  y% j; ?            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
; r; j( A7 \5 P. m            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)

0 j6 b4 ~9 b4 d& C* JNext Monday: Repeat
                        Repeat
8 J, j4 G9 Z/ R4 f8 O4 ~% m( @" K                        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)
                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
5 b1 k$ J4 ?% o6 n8 c4 N                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
                        Oh, Pigeon Lake, I have been there once and we caught some good fish.
5 v5 G* H. |* K8 O2 }  Y& m                        Really, I don’t know you like fishing, may be you should come with me next time.
' D: o4 Q: p8 T2 f                        Great idea and I will
                        Bla—Bla—Bla
# ?$ a# F) |9 d# S- A, b                        Then you see the boss walking by
                         It is time to stop.
/ K7 h7 h5 H/ G. v( ^' `) H/ o                     
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: t# ]" H. _  Q6 H( ~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.