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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So here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.
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7 Z7 h0 I( o  y# CEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:
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) j' P; W4 ], y; M; EDay 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
) x" b5 Y4 l& \6 c7 m0 F1 R; O            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
2 [9 T) F( W3 O2 c9 x            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
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Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
- t' v! n9 }! T/ \: R, d0 y            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
2 `; P% h* m& W% e) v            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)
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Day 3: Repeat
% l1 D; E; }9 [) J4 ^            Repeat
7 R6 n; l; N1 |            Repeat
% A2 J4 g3 e2 J# A- u            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
; u8 l7 x! \4 y            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
0 H4 u1 j4 p0 D' C            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)

, i: X- a6 q, D2 |Next Monday: Repeat
                        Repeat
7 a1 s7 W& g- ]/ {# K                        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)
0 ~6 \6 h. A( e' \" V3 M, O9 j3 [                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
                        Oh, Pigeon Lake, I have been there once and we caught some good fish.
& k' B  K$ ~; e/ T& h                        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
/ G1 Q! W; ^: ~8 \& I; V                        Then you see the boss walking by
                         It is time to stop.
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. r1 t/ i' Q& m* LThe 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.
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' v+ Y% V" b% k2 c- N3 x[ 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.