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.

( Z5 E, r1 v: Z3 b3 b: BEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:

Day 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
9 A) C4 \: Q, X' N# M0 ~- d; g7 |            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
/ ^. P0 M/ |1 Q
! n9 W0 S1 K; ~) p1 ?Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
$ E' o9 q/ U" V6 m0 a            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
1 H4 l4 r4 ~7 S) v* |) D. h            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
/ |  V. o+ \( h! [% u7 s4 R) H            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
! C# z  Y, g7 I/ [$ y! }4 f) c& Q            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)
6 z0 q, |( w1 q% \- |, ]
Day 3: Repeat
            Repeat
            Repeat
            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)
. e  n8 {4 z6 q* i/ E8 V8 e           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
# G- x: \, n! V9 i' [$ O! V: O                        Repeat
                        How was your weekend? (You)
3 @' P7 a0 e8 x" x" D: G, U+ J                        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)
- E9 x' V2 h, o& T  Y                        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.
! `* P# n3 Y* F- h. n2 D. \  T                        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
) Y( {* u& J/ Z# u( V$ j5 R1 ~1 }                         It is time to stop.
                     

0 S1 }" a' G5 V1 BThe above mentioned examples are under daily small talks or gossip category.  The serious business conversation will be with another topic.
( {+ Y2 c. Y4 BAnd 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.