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.

' [  S9 z1 y8 VEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:

8 C5 i* D3 W8 r7 PDay 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
* E. D9 |4 b  O# a$ h, d            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
* A. ?/ f# V8 b% H8 k! @8 ^) M/ }            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
2 [8 R. r3 t# {
Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
0 C1 |" M5 x* C; y. X: N9 @6 z3 L            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
+ g6 x$ u1 j7 R8 d+ C  a! a" ?            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
# B% ?, t8 h8 W+ q- M            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)
, W! L" ^( y0 a% I6 F1 ^
/ e1 n8 B7 ]0 x* u1 i4 b( \/ gDay 3: Repeat
            Repeat
            Repeat
$ `, H7 i7 h) t            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
5 Z& Q. n! }8 m8 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)
+ ]0 a1 T4 ?2 T, p: w3 ~( m; {           Poor you, oh, I wish you have a good weekend, and come back with a good mood. You know what I mean. (You)
; \/ X/ I- \; m4 G' I; Y
Next Monday: Repeat
- r8 M3 r' o3 i8 J                        Repeat
5 D6 S+ [9 t' |8 m, Z/ j: c' L                        How was your weekend? (You)
1 h* N+ l, C' y8 @                        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)
                        Oh, Pigeon Lake, I have been there once and we caught some good fish.
5 f+ I1 R0 K' k" l* t: I* k                        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
# g# }/ ^: {0 D+ S  E                        Then you see the boss walking by
                         It is time to stop.
& ~3 h0 V% c0 Q                     

The above mentioned examples are under daily small talks or gossip category.  The serious business conversation will be with another topic.
* U' V% Z. Y1 O  j/ Z  uAnd I advise everyone should find the way that works best for her/him.

0 j. m; z  [+ l0 ~. ][ 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.