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.

  B+ X- S: q+ N- @& x: A. sSo here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.

$ _# [8 z8 f1 E" B& JEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:
6 ^% v$ s2 H2 o  _1 V
4 q8 \& z5 k  d7 c1 vDay 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
' u2 c# d( [& |. x, w, d            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
8 F& H' s% t8 p# {
6 d, y  S5 X! ?# f5 Y5 S7 rDay 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)
            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)
" h% ?( Y0 F! ^4 G$ Y; d
: J3 L. X$ _( U0 tDay 3: Repeat
            Repeat
            Repeat
; x6 X) d$ ^/ _" e1 e* m6 _! Y9 V            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
; ?; ~- R3 T0 A: R0 }            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
4 p! B! T& g7 W. ^# Y            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 h0 ^+ ], l; d. W2 v4 b' Y           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
                        Repeat
                        How was your weekend? (You)
8 T1 z" C! n0 r4 l" m* A                        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)
( D7 M  c$ K! H; s) Q5 H                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
: P( E1 N2 c' }9 j# A3 }5 ~                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
& U- d- }& V% k9 H4 F                        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.
$ t6 M) R( X# m% q* t) \                        Great idea and I will
                        Bla—Bla—Bla
                        Then you see the boss walking by
                         It is time to stop.
                     

+ }/ n: Y$ R3 D. yThe above mentioned examples are under daily small talks or gossip category.  The serious business conversation will be with another topic.
  M' W. g0 s$ _9 i' V  {And I advise everyone should find the way that works best for her/him.
  r3 O! l# J! z( ^! F
[ 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.