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 x0 C* y0 p' p- V' y3 l  dSo here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.
$ ?, F/ u% o4 L- L8 W" Z% _
6 c' @% O9 v* O0 L0 m1 n; G  sEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:
: ?$ i' q# C. ?& B% T4 k: h1 W) A- r6 U
2 B' Z7 }" d( `* p$ GDay 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
2 _4 U7 Z4 b; o# i5 {            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
            I am fine, thanks!       (You)

. X, p  X4 k" G4 EDay 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
! D$ L" i# w) R            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

& f: }% G4 G, Z* T/ ~- B; B9 iDay 3: Repeat
            Repeat
8 H: s( b5 A0 P# P! ?            Repeat
            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
9 _( g  Z; 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)
# x2 J) G1 y4 M  h9 {* c           Poor you, oh, I wish you have a good weekend, and come back with a good mood. You know what I mean. (You)
4 Y) ^$ ^$ `* \) ~
Next Monday: Repeat
2 F0 p( J/ r6 ]  ~) i  Y                        Repeat
                        How was your weekend? (You)
1 ^' ]% c  Y; n7 \7 A1 k" g/ d                        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)
                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
) I8 s! c1 P' W5 @                        Oh, Pigeon Lake, I have been there once and we caught some good fish.
( U5 H2 |8 R( [5 q; v$ Q4 j                        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
1 z" F6 e' {4 }: i( H                         It is time to stop.
                     
; U' l$ m2 I' K: L9 n
The above mentioned examples are under daily small talks or gossip category.  The serious business conversation will be with another topic.
+ i% [' Q2 `$ jAnd 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.