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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9 r, S( X: J$ o! d8 ?2 K5 KSo here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.

4 q# n7 B. O3 hEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:
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Day 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
2 M) ~! h; N* N. X8 w3 o            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
+ A7 z3 [4 q  z5 w            I am fine, thanks!       (You)

Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
% m5 R) T' d$ o* v) c8 S! y5 p            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
, ]7 p5 d. N1 F( T2 l- u7 @2 o            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
1 Y# A) \% ?1 Y" f: ?            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

Day 3: Repeat
  _! \  u+ \) P0 t            Repeat
            Repeat
# G5 r6 D4 q( b- S8 |3 C            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
# i/ G3 R6 M  y# p+ s7 i9 ^            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)
8 s. v0 `* n% T0 N0 f           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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1 h/ D) @, J% \; N8 Z9 X* }Next Monday: Repeat
5 ]2 D; e& l0 i3 P0 Y! X6 \                        Repeat
                        How was your weekend? (You)
: I/ _7 n7 w8 D! F" `) ]+ j2 v" |                        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)
8 W  v0 [' {* ^$ `8 A" V: ~                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
. k& p( j" W' n. S# D  |                        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.
# d( h1 a2 U3 t3 O% l5 \+ s                        Great idea and I will
                        Bla—Bla—Bla
3 i. j8 n2 y# {0 S                        Then you see the boss walking by
                         It is time to stop.
                     

. o! ?) ?. y9 C* Y" A/ ]: x& t+ NThe 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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" T0 r! |" ]3 M% i9 I[ 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.