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

4 T& Z+ A# K' c9 L! T: gEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:
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3 ^, h2 ]5 Z, Q: V1 wDay 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
6 i6 e3 f7 W) R6 q            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
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Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
/ z& |4 t! F5 B  g            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
  x0 ~+ Z( U/ X( t5 A! V            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
- f+ G/ O2 {# F, n            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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8 _4 L1 y4 V) G7 U- \Day 3: Repeat
            Repeat
6 n8 F4 l" S" b% X/ K( r            Repeat
9 Z# ?& U+ Z+ j# I; @0 J4 ~            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
            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)

Next Monday: Repeat
                        Repeat
                        How was your weekend? (You)
1 v- S4 ~% E5 Y! L  B                        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)
; o3 W$ }% o1 O) f4 G# q, J. ~                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
                        Oh, Pigeon Lake, I have been there once and we caught some good fish.
0 q$ B9 l0 D# a3 |5 ^9 a7 Q                        Really, I don’t know you like fishing, may be you should come with me next time.
! C, a7 N! g  w" V  X                        Great idea and I will
                        Bla—Bla—Bla
% s( Y. N7 `7 F7 o, g$ I                        Then you see the boss walking by
: H; p9 R3 O0 M9 E7 ^                         It is time to stop.
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6 p9 F4 T7 i2 {3 jThe 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.

& i; J% F3 A; Q) U8 n[ 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.