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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' M5 N, O9 m7 D/ `. KSo here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.
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9 e5 z1 h( t5 `6 G9 {Every morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:
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Day 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
5 r" z4 r) U+ l/ b/ j4 R* u            I am fine, thanks!       (You)

Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
! w9 D$ l( w0 p, X8 A% Z, c2 e            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
" U" O" a/ E- w3 I- g. P            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
+ s+ b% C0 x- t4 R% n+ H            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

+ B3 i* z! @& W5 u* ^: W- `9 Z; ~5 {Day 3: Repeat
- R& C2 i  v! C! K) R/ q/ \            Repeat
            Repeat
            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
7 f- E- m( T6 o            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
* K1 k* i. H  d            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
: w4 e. W: T* E, b                        Repeat
                        How was your weekend? (You)
: Z0 W# {5 b  |6 i; h3 E                        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)
* H7 {$ T; F9 M8 W4 _                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
                        Oh, Pigeon Lake, I have been there once and we caught some good fish.
6 H" H' d" E" D, ?: E, p8 x0 r# Q                        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
' v- s0 o& M$ q% q                        Then you see the boss walking by
                         It is time to stop.
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3 S3 w. ^$ K- O+ P5 }0 Y) P$ XThe 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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9 [: ?/ u* H4 s: z3 T8 F[ 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.