1) to woman/man with a baby, you can always ask "how's the baby" or "how's baby XXX doing?

2) if you know someone is from another country, you can say "i just read an artical about XXX on WSJ" etc.

3) to a newcomer, you can ask "how do you like it so far"

4) "where do you live" and "how's your commute" can always be a topic

5) to someone who's preparing for an exam - "how's the study going"

6) you can always talk about business travel - how often you travel and where have you been

7) talk about the current housing market, how expensive houses are. chances are the person you talk to knows someone who recently bought/sold a house

已奖

[此贴子已经被Alexandria于2007-6-16 18:48:07编辑过]

[此贴子已经被Alexandria于2007-6-16 18:47:37编辑过]

已奖

About a cold office:

Colleague: your office is like an ice box

Me:is it really that bad? i think it's ok

Colleague:oh yeah, if you are a penguin. look at me, even my goose bumps have goose bumps

Me:hahaha

Colleague: this is alaska. btw, where's the shovel?

Me:what?

Colleague:so i can dig you out if it starts snow here

Me:haaaaaaahaaaaaaaahaaaaaaaaa

[此贴子已经被Alexandria于2007-6-17 23:31:32编辑过]

哈哈。。。。。。 

your colleague is really funny guy!

已奖

[此贴子已经被Alexandria于2007-6-17 23:32:06编辑过]

已奖

[此贴子已经被Alexandria于2007-6-17 23:32:27编辑过]

已奖

[此贴子已经被Alexandria于2007-6-17 23:33:52编辑过]

已奖

[此贴子已经被Alexandria于2007-6-17 23:32:54编辑过]

已奖

[此贴子已经被Alexandria于2007-6-17 23:33:13编辑过]

1. Talk with Melissa

M: hi, how's your weekend?

Me: Pretty busy. I did lots of shopping.

M: yeh?

Me: I need to change the area rugs of my apartment. So I went to ABC Carpeting Warehouse in XXX.

M: Oh, I need to get an area rug for my apartment too. I went to ABC store recently. How's the warehouse? Any sale there?

Me: Yeh, all the sale items are additional 50% off. I think it's a good deal. I didn't know it first, after I picked them up and paid, I just realized that all sales are 50% off. It's a big surprise. I saved lots of money. I'm so happy.

M: Wow, sounds great. I'll go there to have a check too.

Me: yeh, you should.

已奖

[此贴子已经被Alexandria于2007-6-19 0:18:12编辑过]

已奖

2. Talk with Tera

T: hey, I like your sweater.

Me: Thanks. I like it very much. I bought it from JCrew

T: Really? When did you get it? I've never seen it in store.

Me: Just a couple of weeks before. It was on sale, 50% off.

T: wow, I missed it. Is there any sale at JCrew recently?

Me: I think there is an additional 25% off on sale items now, not 50% off though.

T: that's good too, it's better than nothing. I'll go to JCrew after wrok.

[此贴子已经被Alexandria于2007-6-19 0:13:49编辑过]

已奖

3. talk with Chad

Me: hey, are you going to take your vacation?

C: yeh, strating next week, for 1 week.

Me: wow, sounds great. Any idea where to go?

C; Florida. My cousin will get married there next week. I'll attend his wedding ceremony and go to Miami for a couple of days.

Me: Your cousin lives there or just goes there to have wedding?

C: He works there, so.

Me: I see. Have a nice trip then.

C: Thanks.

[此贴子已经被Alexandria于2007-6-19 0:13:10编辑过]

已奖

4. Talk with Chad

Me: hey. How are you? Welcome back!

C: Thanks. I'm good. Just a bit exhausted.

Me: I understand. You must have a nice vacation, uhh?

C: Sure. It's very nice in Florida. I don't even want to come back.

Me: Haha. How's the weather there? Is it very hot now?

C: yeh, pretty much. over 90 degree every day. I have to stay in the pool or beach for the most of the vacation.

Me: Oh, yeh, I can see your skin is burned a little bit.

[此贴子已经被Alexandria于2007-6-19 0:11:32编辑过]

已奖

5. Talk with Irina

Me: hey, you look tired.

I: yeh, I didn't sleep very well last night.

Me: What happened? are you sick?

I: Not really. My friend left for vacation for a week. She asked me to take care of her dog, and I need to move in to her apartment. I think I'm not used to the new place yet.

Me: oh, yeh? what kind of her dog is?

I: It's a sausage dog. you know that? It has very short legs, lean long body, big ears... A lovely dog.

Me: It must be very very cute.

I: yeh, plus it's only 6 month old.

Me: wow, I want to see it!

I: I could show you the picture...

[此贴子已经被Alexandria于2007-6-19 0:08:17编辑过]

哈哈,5个,圆满了,等着颁奖

All talks are from the real conversations.

[此贴子已经被作者于2007-6-18 16:32:07编辑过]

班班：我要写6个，全部都是真实对话。

#1

A: So how was your son's graduation party last weekend?

B: Oh it was fabulous! We had about 150 people over at our house, and we rented a tent to put in the back yard. Everyone had fun.

A: That's good. You know, that's bigger than my wedding. :)

B: Yeah, that was a big party. We roasted a 300-pound pig.

A: Geez!! 300 pounds!! That is A LOT of meat!

B: I know! I ended up having 75 pounds of bacon, which will last me for the next year!!

A: Did your guests eat all the meat?

B: No, no way. There's a lot left still.

A: I hope you have a big freezer.

B: Well, my son's girlfriend's party is next weekend, and she said she'll just have pulled pork sandwiches, so that will work out well.

A: Oh that's perfect then!

已奖

[此贴子已经被Alexandria于2007-6-19 0:03:44编辑过]

已奖

#2

A: Geez my kids are so much trouble sometimes! Maybe I should send them to a boot camp for the summer or something...I can't stand it!

B: You know, I'm not sure if I wanna have kids in the future. They could be trouble sometimes.

A: I hear ya.

B: You know,  my niece and nephew and their new puppy were over at my house last weekend, and they totally trashed it! After they left, my husband and I found tiny little black foot prints all over our white carpet, we were so mad! It took us hours to clean up the place.

A: Oh boy! that sounds bad!

B: I know! To top it off, that little puppy laid a little pile of poop right in the center of the kitchen!

A: Oh No!

B: Yeah, Don't think I'm gonna have kids any time soon.

A: I don't blame ya.

[此贴子已经被Alexandria于2007-6-19 0:01:43编辑过]

#3

A: Hey, I'm going to pick up lunch in a minute here, do you want to come with me?

B: Well, I have to finish up this file, don't think I can right now...

A: I can get something for you then. What do you want?

B: Oh that'd be great! Where are you going?

A: Just downstairs at the deli place.

B: Ummm...Let me see...What are you getting?

A: I'm thinking of their clam chowder soup and a tuna sandwich.

B: Oh that sounds delicious! Maybe I'll get that, too. Oh, and, don't they have a special on Mondays? For $5.99 or something?

A: Yeah, I almost forgot. Great! It'll be cheaper than I thought.

B: Yeah, that is good. If it's not too much trouble, can you get a strawberry shake for me as well?

A: Sure, no problem.

B: Here's the money. Thanks so much sweetie!

A: You are so welcome. I'll be back in about 10 minuts then.

B: OK. See you shortly. Thanks again!

[此贴子已经被Alexandria于2007-6-18 23:59:56编辑过]

已奖

#4

(A new employee has just started.)

A: So how are you doing so far?

B (new employee): Great. I really like the people here. Everyone seems so friendly.

A: Good, I'm glad. Are you getting overwhelmed yet?

B: A little bit, remembering everyone's name is the most challenging part.

A: I totally understand. When I first started here, I was still struggling with names after the first 2 weeks. It could be hard. Just take it slow, don't give yourself too much pressure.

B: Thanks, I will.

A: How's the work load? Comfortable with everything you've been handed to?

B: Yeah, pretty much. It helps when I can do hands-on stuff, makes me learn faster.

A: That's good. If you need anything, you know where to find me.

B: Thanks. I appreciate it.

A: OK, talk to you later. Have a good day.

B: Yup. Thanks, you too.

[此贴子已经被Alexandria于2007-6-18 23:58:48编辑过]

已奖

#5

A: Hey, I heard you are getting married next month. That's wonderful! Congratuations!!

B: Thanks. Yeah, I'm excited.

A: So, who's the lucky guy?

B: Oh, I met him at college. He is really sweet.

A: Oh, that's great! Look at you, the happy bride!

B: Yeah, I am, very happy.

A: How's the preparation going? Got everything lined up yet?

B: Well, almost. We got most RSVP cards back, and my flowers are booked. We have our cake tasting appointment this Saturday.

A: Oh that's the best part! You get to taste all kinds of delicious cakes!

B: I know! I'm really looking forward to that!

A: Oh, where are you guys registered?

B: At Macy's and Target. Don't feel obligated to get us a gift, though.

A: I won't. But just in case I would like to, I know where to find your registry. :)

B: OK. :)

A: Congratulations again!

B: Thanks!

[此贴子已经被Alexandria于2007-6-18 23:57:24编辑过]