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.
3 j/ U. Z0 _+ _, |4 J5 w! j
& q& X- X% n. U% e+ m" nEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:
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4 P+ z# n4 r% v: R- D. PDay 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
            I am fine, thanks!       (You)

& `- c, a: J2 q) [Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
& Y2 W" y- r/ J9 X5 }' L            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
2 D# n0 U, ^+ w            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
% B& W2 b/ ^# x3 M( L" F7 q( j+ [            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
8 B+ R. Q2 X( b0 U; {9 g- N            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)
: }7 h$ B4 [4 t. V2 h5 i
+ p" ~4 ^5 z# ~) o" VDay 3: Repeat
            Repeat
            Repeat
            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
9 @/ X5 {2 m' s( 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)
5 O1 Y" s: |7 S0 Z           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
' q, ~8 d6 `+ \# w1 B) ~2 i                        Repeat
                        How was your weekend? (You)
; @/ i( y2 x7 G- Y- Y* G9 Q                        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)
                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
: k/ g! |9 Y2 T$ a' }* v                        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
                        Bla—Bla—Bla
                        Then you see the boss walking by
                         It is time to stop.
                     

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.