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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+ D$ C$ u/ H" eSo here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.

" F$ o, y; {6 q$ ?Every morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:
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7 [  {7 I: N/ M7 d' a( ^6 N$ Z+ DDay 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
$ Y7 z7 H; y: c- S% M. }: U; P            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
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Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
, ?* a, W9 M+ ^0 a7 t. h& a            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
0 D( f5 `$ i. t8 W' L            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)
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Day 3: Repeat
2 `7 l. g3 c; G- C) A            Repeat
8 c. j- y, m( V# o' B7 Z            Repeat
            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
1 x. D& B: m0 }% a! U            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)
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Next Monday: Repeat
+ [) h6 x; o2 T! ^$ o4 x/ m                        Repeat
                        How was your weekend? (You)
* Y* _+ x9 W3 }/ J3 o5 e! w/ y                        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)
: t, C( r  Q9 Z. k: t9 X                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
                        Oh, Pigeon Lake, I have been there once and we caught some good fish.
( N4 \2 x9 a" }' z                        Really, I don’t know you like fishing, may be you should come with me next time.
8 |& s- U  ~5 c$ M  E                        Great idea and I will
                        Bla—Bla—Bla
                        Then you see the boss walking by
4 N1 i' _: |! P; O8 l) m                         It is time to stop.
                     
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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.
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2 W" b* t5 f% L! R% k7 X[ 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.