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:

7 V5 }7 M7 k/ `" eDay 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
5 w2 w% R3 H0 i+ q7 ~# l. v# C
Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
+ ~+ V' x4 G! K5 R% G% b6 Y            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
% \( x) B5 y1 E. H$ L7 K+ m            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)
# \+ R. R6 f* `+ X
; _" R; c: r  t6 J5 u1 U  GDay 3: Repeat
            Repeat
6 w/ z6 ^9 V7 L, E: d3 A            Repeat
) Q0 z+ x2 R4 c, b8 s) m- }' S% _0 ]            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
8 Z1 {% F: D7 ?6 w            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)
- ~5 S: V$ I& O' H           Poor you, oh, I wish you have a good weekend, and come back with a good mood. You know what I mean. (You)
: ]" Z1 X' T" H7 p2 ?0 u
' n) S. N: G+ I( m1 U" H5 _Next Monday: Repeat
- |1 l# q/ p+ f$ G1 b; d                        Repeat
                        How was your weekend? (You)
6 B! `& k6 n5 T. M7 V                        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)
8 u% t- U( B$ i                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
8 o; P4 j9 n/ G+ e                        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.
( |0 b: L9 J1 ]- D" O9 s: _                        Great idea and I will
( Q5 z* t, y1 x8 a                        Bla—Bla—Bla
9 {5 ?. h$ z( [( z6 O                        Then you see the boss walking by
+ \9 g+ b4 q* }! r' v3 Q8 J                         It is time to stop.
                     
5 J! p/ M/ \8 m; M6 |' z3 Q
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.

8 x* G: ]) w) b( S1 q. W5 G4 r3 b% M[ 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.