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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: U- F. w# l# z4 u( _' D* wSo here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.
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6 Y5 n" S) J: j& T# jEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:
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8 n( I( p0 a+ O9 j1 a$ P( EDay 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
' a: _. o% O! Q! ]6 N            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
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Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
            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)
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Day 3: Repeat
            Repeat
            Repeat
' y" W5 ^" n4 I            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
+ J) \1 @! L* J$ V7 w1 ]3 K% D            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
3 G; r! d' ?/ @3 B8 d( Y6 T            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)
* J9 n2 j. ^( O! k' P; B           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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) }% G/ N  M$ p7 k8 r( `0 |Next Monday: Repeat
2 d3 W$ g- k) _/ i; T7 t                        Repeat
( V$ ^1 |" [; p8 R2 t: g                        How was your weekend? (You)
                        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)
- v8 {9 J+ H0 N1 S8 f, D& }                        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.
                        Great idea and I will
& G/ c( C* B5 ~7 T                        Bla—Bla—Bla
                        Then you see the boss walking by
                         It is time to stop.
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. p& p# {3 j& t" pThe 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.

: P% S9 y5 K" J3 w[ 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.