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.

Every morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:
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1 W$ F7 S1 n0 N4 F# ADay 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
' E0 P5 y  R/ T            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
+ W' M' |, `6 |
Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
4 S6 F1 u+ M2 ]# d8 R            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
2 n, Z5 G! S/ `9 O5 F) e            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
& r( g8 _3 ~. I, f% Y            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

0 s$ h4 `6 n; O& f+ A/ k8 {Day 3: Repeat
            Repeat
            Repeat
' R. q6 R+ n5 z            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
$ s) b+ U/ ]6 f            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
2 A& ?, s! T0 I3 o  q            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 Q3 ~( L/ }" e5 k           Poor you, oh, I wish you have a good weekend, and come back with a good mood. You know what I mean. (You)
0 H- G4 N8 S) g, A3 T. g
Next Monday: Repeat
                        Repeat
: u2 A2 s' @/ C                        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)
; m" d& @. e- ^8 M/ H9 Z8 R& ?                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
                        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 ]4 l% Y+ K# h: |3 y/ E' \* H! G                        Bla—Bla—Bla
/ X7 W. u+ z+ V- l: u2 Z# u0 h& K                        Then you see the boss walking by
  Z* f+ y, [# V0 t: p( k. H8 d                         It is time to stop.
                     

- ?! Y( f9 j1 [4 Q3 F# m5 dThe 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.