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.

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

: d7 b' b! B* {7 s  l+ V6 XEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:

7 r  c0 u# a) pDay 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
8 n7 c- I. W: U  b: \' y            I am fine, thanks!       (You)

5 i. n7 M  [2 ^  B0 b7 x$ A! |Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
: E, ~8 _# y) W2 R" f; F            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
' t1 Y- k' m9 i3 h# g, M6 _4 G; A+ ]0 C            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

Day 3: Repeat
            Repeat
: B, v5 U2 i/ q% k; ?( ]            Repeat
& y% h! T! X* V) J7 Z" h            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
1 R& w2 [% M. i! V            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)
/ T* i/ Z4 b6 ?+ I# f( 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)
' X  r( e% e  W  W. }8 b                        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.
' N! ^8 @6 R6 i4 K                        Really, I don’t know you like fishing, may be you should come with me next time.
                        Great idea and I will
5 }0 l  n; y( H+ a7 u" {" k( ^                        Bla—Bla—Bla
                        Then you see the boss walking by
5 S. ^! S. G" W% ^& ]1 t                         It is time to stop.
  B$ Z* H" e# s" l- I                     

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.

% b- s) z0 d1 W/ X- M[ 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.