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.

& L1 ~2 E) l! f. }+ }  d. v/ a" ySo here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.

Every morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:

Day 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
( H( B9 i$ c# t/ i% t- F4 Z& q            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
$ I7 c" t8 K$ ~) X6 A( m
Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
0 l$ y9 W! J4 n* g" D. \* Y& I            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
+ G& D5 X! ?& B) a            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)
$ [) s* G, ^6 R( a' [0 E
$ h! b  p" N+ xDay 3: Repeat
            Repeat
            Repeat
            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
6 ?( K" `' ^# E            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
0 U- N2 ?% p9 `            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)
# {/ }+ r' T' G; r5 u           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)
# R4 U; i* U/ o+ G1 C( T8 @                        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$ n* E4 d                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
& h9 {( N1 o3 l. \' I                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
% M2 w5 U' }; g' q: c7 ]                        Oh, Pigeon Lake, I have been there once and we caught some good fish.
( x3 U% f( s0 a" |( s0 U$ b                        Really, I don’t know you like fishing, may be you should come with me next time.
- |6 E, }' j, c' {4 W) Y# S* X- }                        Great idea and I will
                        Bla—Bla—Bla
5 N5 \$ R  n0 a                        Then you see the boss walking by
                         It is time to stop.
3 M, ~+ ~+ c5 q. x, \                     
3 U8 w/ r0 Y" O6 E
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.

[ 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.