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.

So here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.
/ N8 P" w% B" O% v8 d& F
Every morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:

Day 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
$ \2 h; E4 a7 v9 S            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
. k5 P" S7 j) U  N            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
4 |4 ~1 s' ~& U) ~
Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
            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)

Day 3: Repeat
0 e6 I2 d/ v% ~5 Y5 l            Repeat
5 [  C: C+ N' i' v& ]( O1 @# N            Repeat
            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
5 o( M0 S2 Y! ~5 V            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
/ a5 T! c- _0 y* h            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)
9 i& g: Q! _( C' W  V! U5 u           Poor you, oh, I wish you have a good weekend, and come back with a good mood. You know what I mean. (You)
" {5 h- z9 e6 W
1 R* V2 d: \3 o' W+ V  k; vNext Monday: Repeat
                        Repeat
                        How was your weekend? (You)
! O! M8 b4 P( i+ m) A                        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)
( `9 Q0 V8 t& S, A! Y: S( r                        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
' [! P2 P% R# n- E8 V8 ]: A8 a8 x                         It is time to stop.
                     

) b/ ^, Y7 J/ |/ O7 DThe 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.

, l' _/ d7 P( l# H) S[ 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.