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.

2 H* ?, a( Y- M( T' cSo here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.

8 |- \/ O3 r8 _: ?$ K2 QEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:

Day 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
% o/ D3 ~6 S  H; v+ U            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
            I am fine, thanks!       (You)

Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
  ^5 A$ F) c! Y7 H& ?            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
0 v( X) ]& C1 L$ C! _, \4 N8 u3 S            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
+ e+ g& J/ |, j+ c            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)
7 i! i( J& X. ~3 L7 w" \
Day 3: Repeat
            Repeat
, Y+ k' ]" Q. {7 b" s4 ?            Repeat
/ g& J. x5 E2 t/ Q9 L  `& h! h            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
            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)
( ~) M  F" s& W/ r           Poor you, oh, I wish you have a good weekend, and come back with a good mood. You know what I mean. (You)

Next Monday: Repeat
                        Repeat
2 ?3 ]( ]! G% p. `% O) K                        How was your weekend? (You)
. `& s2 v( m" j9 C                        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)
4 h" A" D+ M7 L. G                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
# V% E3 L: B: _) P: X                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
9 o9 ]: M4 N2 O3 b( Y                        Oh, Pigeon Lake, I have been there once and we caught some good fish.
% C& C9 S" K. S: [7 K                        Really, I don’t know you like fishing, may be you should come with me next time.
3 Y, G9 [! [! S; Z                        Great idea and I will
                        Bla—Bla—Bla
- @) F- S: K/ D. _  e: u! b# b5 Z# b                        Then you see the boss walking by
                         It is time to stop.
6 m$ q* W" H6 l0 \: C                     

The 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.

, Q  J% O3 M% ^1 k[ 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.