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.

3 b6 t0 B$ K  h3 n1 U" TSo here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.
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6 m5 J+ q+ m) pEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:
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" @* T- H! @3 Y* C% i4 K/ `/ R4 X4 ADay 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
# h! M  ?% U0 V) j, }1 {            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
            I am fine, thanks!       (You)

Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
1 x4 A: e' O9 s            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)
            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)
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) I' ^- N3 @/ |Day 3: Repeat
1 M/ I1 Q$ }. v6 r$ l" K            Repeat
            Repeat
            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
: e& L* v* w( X            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)
- D5 r( B8 t2 ^; m( y9 j9 s( T           Poor you, oh, I wish you have a good weekend, and come back with a good mood. You know what I mean. (You)

$ f$ i" `/ l+ O" fNext Monday: Repeat
) b+ D& t% M( ~* Q  g; ^# w                        Repeat
! G- _1 t0 _  x$ n& @) E                        How was your weekend? (You)
) R: I& @4 }: c  x5 G3 L3 r                        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)
" A* h9 y9 h1 Z9 S+ @3 n                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
6 ]) m& V5 I/ [) j- q* p0 W5 a' ~                        Oh, Pigeon Lake, I have been there once and we caught some good fish.
& d' |6 i8 W  a: e                        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
' q' l$ |+ k+ h! {( N2 r                        Then you see the boss walking by
% k2 S7 r5 E3 _                         It is time to stop.
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3 t8 m8 o2 Q& NThe above mentioned examples are under daily small talks or gossip category.  The serious business conversation will be with another topic.
" _3 t+ b+ H& e( \. {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.