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.

5 S* N& i7 J. t5 aSo here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.
; h7 }2 B' D0 Z. {$ l3 H% x
Every morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:
. {2 M- T2 r) h; T
1 K* M% E  {" _/ Y+ C, c( i7 \Day 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
, F7 W! I: |: g0 t6 E8 A* x            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
& {5 r, s' ^; M/ J2 y            I am fine, thanks!       (You)

Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
# G7 t9 l2 S! }  A# M- w            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

' c+ l3 b9 f# p, V% s, iDay 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)
8 O5 G$ F( n( b: ?# w  |            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)
" d: @: |$ Q0 N% R' r2 k& i& ?           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
  q2 W) r  M2 J+ p3 B                        Repeat
# j/ V8 Q9 ]) p; L4 D                        How was your weekend? (You)
% Z! w" E3 b; Y& i* ~# t$ o                        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)
( H' @; p1 P6 T: c% A6 A% a                        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.
3 _+ k# y6 M+ I& [$ B# ?$ _$ n                        Great idea and I will
                        Bla—Bla—Bla
                        Then you see the boss walking by
# A; J; p8 N4 |2 R3 L; a! ?                         It is time to stop.
                     
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* T7 a5 Z5 V- F/ uThe above mentioned examples are under daily small talks or gossip category.  The serious business conversation will be with another topic.
$ F2 ?6 D/ {- _5 d) T/ z. QAnd 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.