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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Every morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:

Day 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
5 g) p5 e- {- p+ y            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
            I am fine, thanks!       (You)

5 c( ^5 v6 R0 W" E; u0 j: B3 dDay 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
5 @! f& W1 j/ R9 R# O7 T8 h/ ]3 u            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)
" M' o1 r& g6 S# I0 l+ O            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

9 d4 L% O$ y. ?: S6 \# h3 P$ j& m& hDay 3: Repeat
) s+ G- ?/ G/ q( l' ?: m            Repeat
- P; k) G7 I4 E! n            Repeat
+ Y7 e1 t) H3 O            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
& b( a+ |- ?" f9 n" @9 L            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
) @* I4 b: U2 r% S9 x, s            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)

) M5 H- z0 K" n9 d( G3 R. p6 y: FNext Monday: Repeat
                        Repeat
* {  ?* Z0 O( Z; D* x. E                        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)
& H& F1 C  `; }! k" V" y1 s                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
1 t1 ?+ N* C, v* ?4 ~  M                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
                        Oh, Pigeon Lake, I have been there once and we caught some good fish.
6 w; z4 X$ p7 W4 @" \8 V                        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
+ d  A" ~- f. `2 d. D* ?3 Z: Z/ m                        Then you see the boss walking by
                         It is time to stop.
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  E4 b) q9 A6 Z8 m' n9 m: |The above mentioned examples are under daily small talks or gossip category.  The serious business conversation will be with another topic.
; |+ @. ~3 Z. c  m2 E6 z, v8 VAnd I advise everyone should find the way that works best for her/him.
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/ f4 }3 |' b- O, C[ 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.