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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7 s$ v/ c# _/ r+ I( Z! H# d* v  HSo here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.
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! w" I! Q3 M( l$ g) ]6 l% ]Every morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:

Day 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
# ?% V8 _- \7 L! b            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
! n7 n3 s* ?8 V            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
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" X+ ~$ n4 Y% F: h2 n" |# d4 t8 dDay 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
# u4 ?7 X6 g& Y( b, Q8 w, b            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
: `+ N" H, J# i% c" H1 o            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
  {/ h5 h8 v+ ]            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

Day 3: Repeat
# N4 S4 D6 f- A' X+ S            Repeat
            Repeat
0 a+ J' N, N; l8 B% }            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
  l4 Q! _- z5 }+ n, K            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)
$ Y$ x7 C: A1 \2 z: U6 k           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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  t& w9 Z; D( j8 ~Next Monday: Repeat
. s6 g8 K) [( V) b( x% ?. R  P                        Repeat
                        How was your weekend? (You)
: z' m3 N! G% \. V+ u                        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)
9 y$ i4 O7 C; H) E" t4 b6 }                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
) d& o6 j8 B% S; [1 ~7 a' O; z                        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.
                        Great idea and I will
                        Bla—Bla—Bla
& r% t/ ]& `1 c5 K& `: A                        Then you see the boss walking by
0 M" d# s8 u0 m# r( D                         It is time to stop.
                     

The above mentioned examples are under daily small talks or gossip category.  The serious business conversation will be with another topic.
' V1 g: v/ z6 v" z; c& r! {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.