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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4 L8 |& @7 q4 P7 m! h  W6 ESo 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:
2 J) U/ Q/ i% E3 r3 X" I
! f9 V. H  G7 n: t9 a0 N* JDay 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
& ]6 t* H6 L& K# w0 h: P            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
% Y: [; n0 ?7 e9 R0 f; c
Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
- {% U2 p. C4 v7 J0 N8 J            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
8 H% J2 ^1 [' ?3 W            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

% V' i' _) e7 d" b$ C# ODay 3: Repeat
" Y7 o6 s" ]5 ~- l. D            Repeat
; a2 L- M8 e& `" A& f" c; }- b            Repeat
3 l+ w/ G* k  I9 w( w            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
            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)
2 s/ b- @/ m" ~           Poor you, oh, I wish you have a good weekend, and come back with a good mood. You know what I mean. (You)
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8 f5 N- x8 w9 h; aNext Monday: Repeat
2 [/ {8 J) w, P3 G8 M2 z                        Repeat
                        How was your weekend? (You)
9 ^/ E% B. I4 i! E& z                        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)
                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
$ H, {1 P: I8 K* L8 n5 n' q- f9 N                        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.
2 y1 X7 c# n/ [1 S/ H* O1 C; W! J                        Great idea and I will
                        Bla—Bla—Bla
                        Then you see the boss walking by
( v/ @/ R" P9 ]! F  t, \                         It is time to stop.
                     

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.
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[ 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.