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.
( u! ^# d+ k: d$ ]
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:
. @! F7 l  K2 J$ D" l& B1 P
1 X  |" q# i1 @5 o% }' _/ i& \Day 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
/ U* u9 u" b6 ]% G            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
" r8 @( r, o0 O
Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
: j( ~+ E: g* \. l. m; Y8 z            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
& `$ M* {) c+ O8 {' n1 ~            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

' Y" u5 z1 J9 ^% Q( W& T1 pDay 3: Repeat
            Repeat
( x9 Z! A( n" N' j+ M) K            Repeat
            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
; C& b! w6 d8 ^& C. g            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)
1 L  u: r' t9 e: f( ]           Poor you, oh, I wish you have a good weekend, and come back with a good mood. You know what I mean. (You)
: I3 e$ a- v: |, J
  z. D- T8 {- k6 w# GNext Monday: Repeat
! r2 D( I0 l8 J; l                        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)
1 |. B* p+ @! D  p2 B3 I3 I4 Y# P0 m                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
2 G3 h9 b4 x5 j. v5 z                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
7 D9 Y* N$ e9 F0 l& X. F* a0 J                        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.
+ A- @$ P1 t! e% g                        Great idea and I will
0 M2 R: J9 I  f                        Bla—Bla—Bla
                        Then you see the boss walking by
# r# U+ U; [+ A4 R, s# A                         It is time to stop.
, P" [5 r- b+ N2 L: D' M/ y) f                     
! Z/ B9 n2 s* J! i( ?7 e5 o4 S
1 q% E3 L6 C; ^+ i7 ?/ yThe 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.
% u! }5 y7 \7 b1 _2 |& |
% z/ U( R% K5 `& Q9 T[ 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.