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:

( i2 r  ]5 A9 m" b: q# }7 U1 jDay 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
. u* O7 e( p0 C- F# d            I am fine, thanks!       (You)

0 R% h4 L2 X$ a9 b9 }Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
0 T! @2 Z$ r0 B: E2 w            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
2 Q1 [9 l1 b" ^            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
" y4 l- F' S, ^6 h- W2 e            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

/ N, Q9 L. n: ]/ d3 \" P1 JDay 3: Repeat
            Repeat
* v) P' H8 N) S9 y& ]6 w            Repeat
, U: O- z/ |$ a# g9 J            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)
           Poor you, oh, I wish you have a good weekend, and come back with a good mood. You know what I mean. (You)

, {5 `9 w) D* {: }3 w5 v! L4 i# G! pNext Monday: Repeat
/ h1 s; b* p8 t6 `: r4 d0 p                        Repeat
+ H8 @' n) K0 t1 E6 G' F! g0 m4 r                        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)
                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
1 |, a9 y2 Z6 z( t                        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.
+ A6 n- B" P4 g) A- c0 c! M. i                        Great idea and I will
                        Bla—Bla—Bla
                        Then you see the boss walking by
( B/ J8 [* M; G; U                         It is time to stop.
                     

1 S4 Z! f5 b+ O9 T% e7 RThe 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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[ 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.