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.
( C7 r4 J9 u  O3 _" ^, t
" _8 c) _+ D( r4 k* M' D, @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:

. G$ w5 {* z: ^7 V/ D% `3 hDay 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
3 f, g8 M7 R' J$ _8 Z0 R& v* e. y            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
4 J1 ^( {6 p' D: z2 U
+ d7 h8 E. r0 w) h$ q/ P: }! v. YDay 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)
4 h/ w/ O! M0 @            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)
; W- _, V  Q( u* m  I
Day 3: Repeat
            Repeat
: w! Z5 a; b+ O3 U' ~, U            Repeat
            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
3 j! }5 H6 x, F7 J( V            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)
           Poor you, oh, I wish you have a good weekend, and come back with a good mood. You know what I mean. (You)
' |/ _9 t% j, y5 h
( K1 f0 ~  C# t& |6 RNext Monday: Repeat
, \3 }$ _: B1 x4 F; A  H4 D- F3 F" k                        Repeat
6 n% |4 I( ]3 J                        How was your weekend? (You)
. Z) a0 a5 }) B( V6 [; r5 S                        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)
! q: \* u5 _7 c& A  u( x" R                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
( Y' O6 P' j0 J" h! N0 M3 D; t                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
! O( Y, G6 f% P( |: X, C0 q                        Oh, Pigeon Lake, I have been there once and we caught some good fish.
0 y0 S& q3 f( ~                        Really, I don’t know you like fishing, may be you should come with me next time.
4 B  {; ]8 @3 A) u( g                        Great idea and I will
                        Bla—Bla—Bla
                        Then you see the boss walking by
; j4 M+ X$ Z2 @4 x                         It is time to stop.
4 ?. ?$ ^4 H8 e" d. f9 G                     
5 f. V$ i+ _* d0 T& p  E. l7 n
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.

; k9 _! }" m' `. n& X2 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.