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.
9 T% t/ \! d* o& S% e" N- P
9 D7 G9 I# f# I. y3 L2 C. A$ rSo here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.

$ k# K0 G4 _1 q3 A- d! i2 jEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:

# I- t% u* C5 U0 `' c2 {5 qDay 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
  G3 y' W( W! Z4 M0 o
Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
- g0 Y8 _: u1 \            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
" k5 W5 J0 p! U8 k) e, N            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

Day 3: Repeat
            Repeat
7 q+ i( d' b% f: G# Q8 ]0 p            Repeat
& v& g. ^, K. j! r: k            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
) p) D% F) y- d& e' a2 n9 |3 J            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)

7 w6 a& N3 w* P( k: o( NNext Monday: Repeat
( I, [, _- c. z                        Repeat
4 \5 v; k  }6 H  r2 W' R                        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)
2 s8 k7 f  {- ?3 n" k8 S4 q; z3 S                        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.
( s5 B+ b; n1 c( Q! j/ U" i                        Really, I don’t know you like fishing, may be you should come with me next time.
! b! ?* D; v% K, ^. a! m, p+ {                        Great idea and I will
- P) K. m/ a; }" U& i# S                        Bla—Bla—Bla
* w% r& W/ _* z3 ]" @                        Then you see the boss walking by
                         It is time to stop.
                     

5 w0 @0 A6 D! ]6 o: zThe 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.

[ 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.