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.

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

$ e/ y, z4 _4 Y. l$ W. ]Day 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
2 K0 b7 ], f, H' J            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
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" G# X/ [; E9 g$ w/ ^& X$ lDay 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
9 \) m$ m8 ^$ c. y# z/ p+ q            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
. \1 e7 l: Y" `# a' {            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)
% `" ]9 x" p8 F, o& B
( t) _/ P2 F/ }5 _. qDay 3: Repeat
            Repeat
5 a$ }6 H' }& T( v% X            Repeat
            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)
+ Y" O9 n' @2 o* a1 S1 C  q8 K/ T           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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Next 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)
% U9 C# s' x" W& s3 F: _                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
  D' f% {$ I6 i. e7 \                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
                        Oh, Pigeon Lake, I have been there once and we caught some good fish.
& e+ E! g& t. x, v                        Really, I don’t know you like fishing, may be you should come with me next time.
                        Great idea and I will
# X- O: _- x* v% K9 ^                        Bla—Bla—Bla
                        Then you see the boss walking by
! ~0 a$ n$ j7 L2 O1 d7 O! `                         It is time to stop.
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The above mentioned examples are under daily small talks or gossip category.  The serious business conversation will be with another topic.
1 W7 B  z+ I9 q- B: Q2 rAnd I advise everyone should find the way that works best for her/him.

[ 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.