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.

& F2 U( v* E2 z; fSo here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.
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% f  P3 v, M1 ^Every morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:

$ L# U. d" G- }) m% `Day 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
2 |8 N. G( r) W            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
            I am fine, thanks!       (You)

Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
! l1 h" A+ j% v- p. n            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
1 y& z5 q& x2 X' n            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
. E6 h& @0 s( [& W% y" @- X            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

Day 3: Repeat
2 E$ n* V' ^: u) k& N7 O' Q            Repeat
            Repeat
- I6 o$ B( d4 B, N7 P( J$ D' {            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
            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)
5 m' L  Q( `2 I, X& x2 T: E           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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Next Monday: Repeat
                        Repeat
# b" {7 ^4 [, @  o+ W2 \! P% d                        How was your weekend? (You)
4 T& s. G! I5 v5 \! I                        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)
                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
                        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.
7 O7 s' s, m) L! I+ Y+ A                        Great idea and I will
. @4 T3 d" S# ^( w7 D2 S; f                        Bla—Bla—Bla
5 C$ c: Y+ x& X1 B  l8 A9 T1 |                        Then you see the boss walking by
                         It is time to stop.
                     
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( o/ J" {+ ^  w9 VThe above mentioned examples are under daily small talks or gossip category.  The serious business conversation will be with another topic.
# D) J6 J# r) S+ R: E% M! kAnd I advise everyone should find the way that works best for her/him.
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[ 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.