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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: p& D. \% V3 }0 U' GSo 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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Day 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
* b* |6 g& s6 h* v; I. Z            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
( P. o6 a& ^4 U8 c+ B) D5 p8 }            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
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Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
) e3 C# A- Q6 U& k3 j9 X% S            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
8 b) _+ T6 V  B$ \            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
, H$ @" {* I- U            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

* V& S; M) b, L) |Day 3: Repeat
            Repeat
            Repeat
4 F( t3 ^7 R2 Y- E  W            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
$ x& {& O% @7 d: R+ U% l2 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)
8 z5 H" [4 E8 D# b           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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4 Y1 t2 V3 {" u8 iNext Monday: Repeat
                        Repeat
                        How was your weekend? (You)
4 B& E3 k" O, v. e+ E                        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)
& C) o. m" k9 Z! w8 e$ ^9 f5 j                        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.
4 v9 F/ g% r- v4 a                        Great idea and I will
                        Bla—Bla—Bla
                        Then you see the boss walking by
                         It is time to stop.
                     
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8 H/ D2 n+ s, x; T/ Y0 @The above mentioned examples are under daily small talks or gossip category.  The serious business conversation will be with another topic.
8 o( ]1 g# }/ k0 o6 PAnd 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.