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.
. A7 L. y8 \# O3 \) D
) b' ^' S( L) n  u+ `# \So here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.
5 H( ~9 y' f. G( |: x
. _# v# i) r* P2 ^2 z3 o' A3 _4 KEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:
* I  @. O0 _; i% Z
Day 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
* U( ?6 |) K- ^8 _            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
9 c9 E" `" W# o* U2 k$ I$ r; d' b4 L
Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
  Z  S$ Q; D1 F. k            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
7 y  e$ r: e. ]4 n            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

Day 3: Repeat
  Y. |/ I# S6 y& _, M; E            Repeat
            Repeat
            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
' d5 A; _( u' j6 ?  B8 Y# U# 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)
           Poor you, oh, I wish you have a good weekend, and come back with a good mood. You know what I mean. (You)
7 N: j5 x! C/ E2 Y
Next Monday: Repeat
                        Repeat
                        How was your weekend? (You)
9 V0 M$ w+ v4 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)
                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
$ x# G( {: H# V5 k. b4 H                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
# l5 c! W$ l9 A- c7 C1 M( {                        Oh, Pigeon Lake, I have been there once and we caught some good fish.
: U5 v7 n* V9 P; ?: d% K8 U; Y7 t( d                        Really, I don’t know you like fishing, may be you should come with me next time.
2 f) r1 b, J% m" C- |                        Great idea and I will
                        Bla—Bla—Bla
+ q) T" V" ~% r+ ^' h                        Then you see the boss walking by
                         It is time to stop.
                     
, X" _% h- [5 a7 a$ x/ l6 C( Y, n
- A, i+ V/ V+ U/ zThe above mentioned examples are under daily small talks or gossip category.  The serious business conversation will be with another topic.
' p& J" f5 {2 I  ?And I advise everyone should find the way that works best for her/him.
9 O& u; C# P) e# `
[ 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.