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:
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' c( m. M# `# O% S* jDay 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
; V% q) ?# M7 f7 G6 i            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
            I am fine, thanks!       (You)
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" l0 M. S- O) V( ?- k6 J2 N! S% tDay 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
/ K  q% t9 p6 a# A! e  y! c            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
3 R- ^" @6 V% y4 w            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

( o& Y) Q0 k; GDay 3: Repeat
" L4 _/ v. k+ u4 K; K6 P! @" n. C            Repeat
            Repeat
            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
2 ^- p+ j+ {" q. Q& b! V, U            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)
           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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' P- M' [1 A1 ]5 ANext Monday: Repeat
                        Repeat
& Q+ D0 o* ~6 L2 n                        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)
! n4 D; y& S3 c7 C4 R& a; D                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
) _& E/ {- L$ t- A$ i                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
                        Oh, Pigeon Lake, I have been there once and we caught some good fish.
( E2 B! w7 o8 q2 y+ T. w7 H                        Really, I don’t know you like fishing, may be you should come with me next time.
' C7 K- v8 B* O& K5 S                        Great idea and I will
9 i( V5 p8 r4 T$ A. \                        Bla—Bla—Bla
                        Then you see the boss walking by
                         It is time to stop.
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. M( }  A! S; C; `$ f; G4 TThe 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.

% o& ]0 q; k! N1 b5 ][ 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.