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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" C0 [! _, i1 `) Z) k# ]So here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.
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  q2 }$ w/ j" r  G- F) f- [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)
( F# r* J$ ~( j# n6 }0 i            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
" t2 D$ O' ]8 R" P: f            I am fine, thanks!       (You)

Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
( ?" V* r0 s* u7 j" N2 s" d            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
0 [% [1 F" @% C- |4 ?# ~            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)
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Day 3: Repeat
3 D& f4 K1 O3 L& U            Repeat
9 A, o5 g/ i4 ?+ \, Q. d" z            Repeat
0 b1 L3 b5 q' k1 `1 }            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
            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)
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Next Monday: Repeat
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- e! s  t( D8 o/ U/ r                        How was your weekend? (You)
/ j1 e( q2 ]- 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)
                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
7 O! ]% M6 n( c2 o                        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
0 F& u, M5 L# x$ C1 k                        Bla—Bla—Bla
                        Then you see the boss walking by
                         It is time to stop.
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& [) @6 a( @4 [; kThe 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.