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.
5 p. O: @6 n9 m# a
! i- X/ e7 o* \; U$ wSo here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.
' {, N- w  L! I3 z9 w
+ J( K" b& j! N  P, tEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:

Day 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
% ?/ D! j4 M  J- d            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
  R1 v, D+ P! w/ K" @( \            I am fine, thanks!       (You)

; D$ J8 G0 V4 u% ODay 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
/ t9 O9 @. S2 D# ?- s            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
) I) r4 V9 Z1 `8 W: a/ e# B. ]            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
0 R3 J5 c* M% t            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

Day 3: Repeat
; e* t( u( O* \( B! o2 F            Repeat
  c  S* |" U/ H+ ^& K            Repeat
            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
  H: J3 W8 M; p6 n& h            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
- r5 I. x7 \0 |            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)

; x4 a6 I8 c; K5 r7 x' lNext Monday: Repeat
1 V3 T/ b( Q7 o$ d% ]                        Repeat
. Z% s" c; {5 k$ Q2 e9 z5 L- J                        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)
4 x# z* @. Q3 B) |                        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.
                        Great idea and I will
                        Bla—Bla—Bla
+ d$ c8 ~8 F) ^+ M& E# K% E3 \0 [                        Then you see the boss walking by
8 n8 u/ X: [9 K# E                         It is time to stop.
" e; ~% g  a, h1 n' W                     

The above mentioned examples are under daily small talks or gossip category.  The serious business conversation will be with another topic.
8 o2 [4 d% b; X3 F3 w/ [7 aAnd 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.