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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! _# P0 Y0 w3 hSo here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.

/ ~+ Q+ M; O5 f# j/ nEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:

) p( i1 G7 l" q2 H7 LDay 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
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Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
            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)
  s' \! w6 n' @% q            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

Day 3: Repeat
3 x! f# m. W' v) B8 Y& v! W            Repeat
: \, A& S- Q( ~3 ?/ P% |9 W7 m            Repeat
0 P% E; \/ S  s4 R+ b, ^            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
: K- e1 C  ?2 ]+ [            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
/ j* m7 f. X: q) F4 N            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 w" I7 H6 u* F- G; J  n) R$ u           Poor you, oh, I wish you have a good weekend, and come back with a good mood. You know what I mean. (You)

Next Monday: Repeat
) [7 `* i; Z, h7 Q5 E                        Repeat
3 y1 t2 S( E% a" k. J" K: t                        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)
                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
4 F0 B  @# `. g- Z, o0 p                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
, @# O2 D- }6 u* ?                        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.
7 G4 y3 c4 [5 S2 x* w& r                        Great idea and I will
                        Bla—Bla—Bla
4 V6 I1 a$ |7 E; N" {                        Then you see the boss walking by
                         It is time to stop.
                     
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3 y( p1 u0 U* T% w. q. XThe 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.

[ 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.