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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% Y+ G5 `* B3 QSo here are some of self-made rules which have worked well for me.
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; L) v5 `! O( C0 B- SEvery morning, practice the chat and image that you are both A and B actors or actresses:

8 Q: V" M/ X2 t4 P6 y0 QDay 1: Good morning, Sandra (You)
" x1 o! s% F5 }; n2 X# e3 E            Good morning, Ming. How are you? (Co-worker)
9 K. D  c0 j1 {. `/ U: n2 M6 `2 r            I am fine, thanks!       (You)

Day 2: Repeat  Day 1 (You)
+ D) A/ p- |/ p            Repeat  Day 1 (Co-worker)
            I am fine, and how are you. (You)
9 K- p  l& R2 m5 Y1 p! s            Not too bad, I like your shirt; it looks gorgers (Co-Worker)
, E+ t5 K( S& z3 N5 J  ~0 \. j            Thanks, I bought it from China last summer. (You)

; N8 x; R  h4 _$ P8 lDay 3: Repeat
# x. Z( @2 u7 N1 ~4 \  `4 u, I            Repeat
            Repeat
9 U& s1 f' O4 z( u            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)

" w' V3 _" E5 |( `. R  J7 \! b6 }Next Monday: Repeat
0 b9 l: q( z: m6 Q1 G4 ~, h7 P                        Repeat
5 ]# p4 d- L8 g$ o                        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)
  H. k$ L0 U* }! j                        Pigeon Lake. It was packed on the weekend. (Co-worker)
9 \; p8 p* J8 Z                        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.
                        Great idea and I will
+ K  s/ p) {% v+ ]                        Bla—Bla—Bla
                        Then you see the boss walking by
                         It is time to stop.
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8 \0 `; [* O4 Y( J& hThe 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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# }: y3 _+ k. v- B[ 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.