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.
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' O1 v7 L7 F( }) p- kEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:

" |( ~6 v8 z( L- N- ^/ lDay 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
/ M1 C! ?+ [/ F/ @            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
            I am fine, thanks!       (You)

3 c9 P# p3 C9 i& ^Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
+ f* s5 _# i) F8 q            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
; \' a, ^1 F. O5 W5 M" f3 r            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

Day 3: Repeat
1 M3 s# ?% M* Y' Q' K  o# F0 C! B            Repeat
8 H9 {4 S& ~, m- V7 ~; L8 E5 j            Repeat
& c) a! w7 a& g3 X( s            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
5 W. i% J5 ~6 m9 K0 T: N            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
7 a: ^- g! T& ^5 H) c; g0 A' u                        Repeat
                        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)
1 V2 m5 m8 _+ F+ e7 s2 f                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
( c4 J: A3 y$ ^6 q" }% v* o  F                        Oh, Pigeon Lake, I have been there once and we caught some good fish.
) [: e# ?0 W5 z  ]% [6 o. M                        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
                        Then you see the boss walking by
                         It is time to stop.
                     

* ^: Q9 w  b' b! F; m$ P1 y1 lThe 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.