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.

  I  R' W/ C' ^$ ?: t1 v4 uEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:

, B$ t. q+ t, Q6 `. wDay 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
5 V! c; |3 ?( f8 j            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
            I am fine, thanks!       (You)

, W( F% C+ S6 P8 R. e! p0 Q3 _Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
6 t1 U: f; G9 C1 t, r            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
0 ]# ]4 o6 N! M: Z            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)
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Day 3: Repeat
7 z) |( [( a8 c  h4 K! A            Repeat
! {" r8 t% d  J! E7 ]7 r7 c            Repeat
; U  |4 J/ I( C! G; e- ]/ v# N            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
& E; B4 [: i. l" k/ x+ E6 F$ {            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)

. L. d  u; d" j: b& v7 P2 JNext Monday: Repeat
                        Repeat
1 [: b7 f+ N; z/ n" s4 Z                        How was your weekend? (You)
/ F7 X% b+ k5 l- O                        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)
" X/ e/ J! a# J8 z6 U% |# z) g                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
                        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 l' c5 T: {$ R                        Really, I don’t know you like fishing, may be you should come with me next time.
# K+ g) p  r1 p: t8 R6 }5 x                        Great idea and I will
                        Bla—Bla—Bla
6 Q$ v3 s( W5 a) m                        Then you see the boss walking by
- |( C9 I- _) H) \% B/ }! H. ]/ y                         It is time to stop.
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The 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.