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.
. \. O/ }1 [! }* J* I/ q2 ~
7 z3 h. I3 t1 [: C! m+ J+ G/ USo 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:
+ N6 z# O: G. o  i7 T
Day 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
            I am fine, thanks!       (You)

" s2 D! a9 k1 n* _* V' G7 jDay 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
6 W7 F" H. e1 x7 v1 w- [            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
: K! k2 @1 W0 r: e' P* a$ w6 ^  f1 u            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
, w  e5 R6 E% E+ m6 |: a7 U            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
: E3 E6 x1 j6 e            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

Day 3: Repeat
& N9 b- N9 {: T; C9 E8 j+ g            Repeat
5 `4 V! H8 G6 r$ J% ^7 G8 j            Repeat
3 E5 _4 K" J" _% }. {            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
  X  \$ G/ H& G/ W' [/ o            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
1 x0 N# N! Q6 ^5 d- }6 G! x            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)
* Q" T4 c# [6 W$ `) b
  N: k8 y) J' b2 H8 ^3 ^6 n8 INext Monday: Repeat
* U7 E3 _4 _- b) c1 Z                        Repeat
                        How was your weekend? (You)
9 ?) W; r- `3 k3 ]1 Z$ |! h                        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)
) Z0 F  a: c, H$ e                        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.
% p6 K  o" _1 f. Q0 ?/ |5 n7 s6 S                        Great idea and I will
                        Bla—Bla—Bla
                        Then you see the boss walking by
                         It is time to stop.
( s, t# }( {, K+ d# j! M, E                     

The 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.
7 `: k' {0 I! n1 {- h( M, b
& m- h+ b+ `4 L- |) L* H[ 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.