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.
) v7 q# v0 y1 U1 c7 D
Every morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:

/ Q: N& y4 n4 e  r5 bDay 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
8 g! Q, P# X1 I* x7 W" p' a4 L            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
8 |% ^( v% ?  w) G            I am fine, thanks!       (You)

Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
& l! f! J7 I) L% A/ e            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
8 t3 a  V" n% O% K- C8 `1 i            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
% j* o3 g0 j5 M5 g+ S            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

( F/ b+ b5 f! {5 x% ^' bDay 3: Repeat
5 f( \* n2 p& z( {% B4 d9 H: \5 d# |            Repeat
            Repeat
            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
9 o" j3 a0 n* c            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
" s( A: K- R0 l; _# K/ r; v% i            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)
% E; f- t- X6 e0 s$ o           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
' e0 m) b1 _  d                        Repeat
' N/ E7 l' n* [5 S# `                        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)
# u- M( y/ ^/ N  }" C                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
8 e, [# t3 z9 X; a) [                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
8 V8 T/ r+ g2 c1 I  M                        Oh, Pigeon Lake, I have been there once and we caught some good fish.
9 ^$ I9 B& V% a' w                        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
8 e- q5 r* T# U* s1 |                        Then you see the boss walking by
                         It is time to stop.
                     
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, u, P5 X* W5 y* 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.