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.
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% _2 C8 v# W* X) g* CSo here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.

$ G; q8 R% z* t! L2 i. ~) SEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:
  h/ i& @8 R& {0 g, A
Day 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
8 D; m/ S) P2 Z: T" ~8 ]            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
5 G! G, Z: B( `' e6 s4 Z            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
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0 |! k( t6 I3 x! u3 ~" {6 I! qDay 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
: n2 W3 e: m9 b0 C5 x            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
            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)
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Day 3: Repeat
% }! `1 R6 k" C  H" F) d+ Z            Repeat
            Repeat
            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
  N" D4 {& o4 P( f' t2 V4 B            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)
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' I' j& O8 c! C- h% \0 |# |+ ^Next Monday: Repeat
+ q9 ?3 X- [+ u, _                        Repeat
5 E- `" X  Z& y& \0 y1 J                        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)
5 X$ ?. t+ \1 C1 ~# v) H+ ]" }1 _                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
) C* C5 `% z' H1 w# ~, A3 ^                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
                        Oh, Pigeon Lake, I have been there once and we caught some good fish.
! X# f2 ^. d9 s2 K2 A; N                        Really, I don’t know you like fishing, may be you should come with me next time.
2 J2 }6 r* {. _" _/ w1 S                        Great idea and I will
# H" p  D  R) d" s9 z/ B                        Bla—Bla—Bla
                        Then you see the boss walking by
                         It is time to stop.
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  s3 j' J% m) X  g. d( P+ RThe 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.