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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3 d5 H. b1 J0 I7 tSo here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.

* h! `2 F6 c$ [/ F, j3 v  WEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:

Day 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
/ U. o& S8 f! d0 Q            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
            I am fine, thanks!       (You)

Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
. K0 j$ L" t6 F6 S% Q            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)
+ O, Q- u6 y; S/ N            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)
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Day 3: Repeat
            Repeat
            Repeat
! O# a2 {5 B* T            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
7 T& \% e* _9 T& i+ u            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)
# F1 x7 }( U# U5 \/ ~! y( D4 U           Poor you, oh, I wish you have a good weekend, and come back with a good mood. You know what I mean. (You)

/ Z1 P+ d# k, u. {& N' \. D6 zNext Monday: Repeat
                        Repeat
                        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)
" ]6 _- z. H0 \; Q7 z: J+ m9 }2 V% ?                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
2 j+ G% t* }- h. F4 X                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
                        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.
. L4 j0 c6 l$ i5 _" k+ E* O                        Great idea and I will
                        Bla—Bla—Bla
" w6 q, O8 ^2 x' x3 s                        Then you see the boss walking by
                         It is time to stop.
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/ i: B4 {' E; g0 p6 K8 W# b  x: \The above mentioned examples are under daily small talks or gossip category.  The serious business conversation will be with another topic.
/ m5 p! I+ S6 N1 WAnd I advise everyone should find the way that works best for her/him.
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1 A& h. |8 K; c. e4 w  z6 d! v[ 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.