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.
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Every morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:
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Day 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
/ R; V1 U+ O' B+ m' M- [            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
4 p$ A  i6 x! N% Q* c/ R            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
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Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
" I! H1 B( J3 F! y& ^3 J$ @            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
- A, P% d! a/ s. M3 Y, ~; y            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
3 [+ X  i# Y$ }$ Z$ S" F8 t4 X            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
: j4 j1 T8 U% g2 X            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)
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Day 3: Repeat
            Repeat
            Repeat
* c0 U* }  S/ B- M            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
4 h8 e; d' y+ I5 m, 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)
& g6 G4 R0 Y' F7 x% r/ w           Poor you, oh, I wish you have a good weekend, and come back with a good mood. You know what I mean. (You)
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; V) c. V- K: q& ?3 M0 }Next Monday: Repeat
                        Repeat
  R3 \/ U6 Z- A9 q- M1 ~* U                        How was your weekend? (You)
0 o6 u1 J) n) S+ J& M# u4 L+ M                        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)
& D& V: n2 N1 @5 K& n                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
$ h6 M& W/ o; ?" t9 F$ ]                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
                        Oh, Pigeon Lake, I have been there once and we caught some good fish.
                        Really, I don’t know you like fishing, may be you should come with me next time.
                        Great idea and I will
8 X  w! P) a- ~; n( |7 n' z                        Bla—Bla—Bla
: b5 }' X& q3 I9 e                        Then you see the boss walking by
* b7 I' Q9 [9 m3 ]) ^/ z- z# `                         It is time to stop.
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, w6 B: h$ l% q9 C3 W; Z( |The above mentioned examples are under daily small talks or gossip category.  The serious business conversation will be with another topic.
: T& T1 E: r7 zAnd I advise everyone should find the way that works best for her/him.
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! h8 I. L4 e5 m, j* F0 \[ 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.