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.

6 _9 @0 s& F( D1 WSo here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.
7 x0 c5 w' u( E% l3 o
8 }1 a1 W/ l  ]Every morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:

4 E. Z% f; S& `# y0 r2 n' |. XDay 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
& ]1 i% K2 z5 c8 t' |            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
/ Q! i/ {1 q1 H. b4 X/ |% l1 @
Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
( b& H* o4 a# T5 S3 o5 y            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
8 y! k: Z+ y7 t6 R6 w            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
* U8 j" t7 \  ^' j8 D. Q            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
9 S, J7 g  X! L            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

! P7 U$ ~* a; JDay 3: Repeat
- d4 o' L! u& m7 l' b            Repeat
& z. F7 H7 t" G            Repeat
6 v8 ?& f/ s& f1 ]            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
; V$ N$ D) |  |" e            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)

9 q0 r, s& n1 ~) Y% {6 r2 CNext Monday: Repeat
                        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)
                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
/ E  f( p2 ]! j5 Q                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
4 [* K- @2 S2 W                        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.
                        Great idea and I will
                        Bla—Bla—Bla
                        Then you see the boss walking by
" F* T6 C+ V3 M: h- I# b% G                         It is time to stop.
$ Y* I! @: m! K' o$ k                     
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The above mentioned examples are under daily small talks or gossip category.  The serious business conversation will be with another topic.
! c" x: n* v5 o% i2 [" K" d  |And I advise everyone should find the way that works best for her/him.

* k, ?  q6 e7 C9 v[ 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.