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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1 B$ v4 Y7 V8 I1 NSo 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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" \) t% u3 J9 Z4 ]' V8 XDay 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
1 C) s2 ~$ q% w# x/ b5 T8 `: |3 J6 g            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
" Q0 H/ y! T+ v! w' V. }3 K- s            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
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Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
4 X, g2 ^; }/ F, L5 F            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
1 y" Q* _$ q) M            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
! M* q* u% P) P$ N8 Q2 w; u            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)
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Day 3: Repeat
! _9 j6 `7 |/ R; r: g$ u            Repeat
4 B, X+ `9 @" {7 C' @1 W  V- Y            Repeat
" y+ W) P( Z3 W; b/ D8 I) W            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
0 D! d, c' ~' a& B7 v$ l            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)
$ @3 @. ]( Y1 W) O( x+ F           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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Next Monday: Repeat
                        Repeat
4 I7 O! E4 @+ L, c: T5 q                        How was your weekend? (You)
; O8 F5 k& E: R+ q# h                        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)
0 ]' x# P0 Q' `2 }- a; i. r; m/ ?                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
$ k2 Q( A) }, w/ D' A1 b                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
; R8 B( _& A( L# x5 ]& T' h3 N                        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
% i) M+ \! N8 ]% Z$ A( m                        Bla—Bla—Bla
                        Then you see the boss walking by
1 q+ m& P$ C" S# J! X                         It is time to stop.
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The above mentioned examples are under daily small talks or gossip category.  The serious business conversation will be with another topic.
9 f( F! W# I: ~& I, O9 AAnd 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.