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.

So here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.

9 c" _# g8 e! j" z' NEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:

Day 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
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5 }+ ]' d% M2 Y2 }! g1 j+ |1 wDay 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)
2 [' E6 G, W$ T" g- o  R, m            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)
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/ L. q6 b! C0 x3 CDay 3: Repeat
            Repeat
" D; j9 z9 z$ h  D! s            Repeat
1 N' e5 B; U/ H3 s, `. X            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
; z7 \! U+ g* Q0 A" }) t# [            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
9 j; a" r6 L4 a- W& q+ I2 R, O            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)
7 I$ ~; p- i, ^7 ~' [           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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" e0 J* H2 C  x7 Y' YNext Monday: Repeat
                        Repeat
: o; B; x2 z" i1 q                        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)
1 z" u' \5 E- q9 d! j0 ~/ i                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
8 O8 x8 H% Z* u" x; k/ l& z# b2 e                        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
                        Bla—Bla—Bla
                        Then you see the boss walking by
, q( `# ^" {# V* y                         It is time to stop.
% |, O. f& D, {6 Q! ]1 E                     

. l/ b5 }# D- [0 k& bThe 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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[ 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.