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.
( s1 A( L! d) }( R  z/ J; A; D0 ^
. f' b( S. }  a# s4 jSo here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.

" Y) n) d& _. G( N; W$ G! \Every morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:

Day 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
: q  u% U6 j; z# g% g            I am fine, thanks!       (You)

Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
" [0 }) O" N7 K4 N9 ~7 s# r            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
8 o: l1 _6 S$ p# w            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)
9 _% M% e9 @& B, R3 w5 _
Day 3: Repeat
9 G: K& C  o' H9 O            Repeat
            Repeat
            I could not be better, Thank god it is Friday. (Co-worker)
            Finally, so do you have plan for the weekend? (You)
9 H* m: e8 h2 ~) t$ r+ {" k            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)
9 a: t8 d# a3 `$ A. W' q
- z. @/ T- \8 v3 o( H3 bNext Monday: Repeat
1 E: E2 @' J% F. R; p                        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)
" W& Q8 O5 m& {( Z3 @3 ^2 [                        Is that right? Where does your mother-in-law live? (You)
( }/ o( p4 Z0 o  n4 y                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
                        Oh, Pigeon Lake, I have been there once and we caught some good fish.
+ X4 g; W; w. p+ u8 V% n1 a9 c                        Really, I don’t know you like fishing, may be you should come with me next time.
                        Great idea and I will
/ {+ {: i. B* u) ~) Q                        Bla—Bla—Bla
                        Then you see the boss walking by
                         It is time to stop.
8 i+ J- t1 G/ k& a0 J- d# z                     
8 ~3 z' i/ L% d8 o
/ }1 d6 \3 k6 oThe 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.

0 f& u" s& I2 \0 D, n* ?' F[ 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.