Archive for the ‘small talk’ Category
Hey, Hey, Where Are You From?
Today I went swimming after office hour and I stopped by the Circle K, one of that kind of 24/7 convenient store. I bought a shampoo and a bread for breakfast.
I noticed that there was a queue at the cashier but it didn’t bother me because you know, nobody would ever buy monthly groceries in a convenient store. There would be no waiting so long in the queue. Or so I thought.
A second glance told me that the queue in front of me were of Asian tourists. I counted and there would be two transactions before I got the chance to pay but then their friend just cut the line so there were three.
An Australian then came into the store, picked what he needed and waited for his turn. A couple of seconds later, as the Asian girls in front of the cashier boy kept messing with their stuffs (they just couldn’t decide what to buy and what not to buy! Oh boy!), the Australian started shouting:
Hey, hey, where are you from?
I stood still. I knew he intended the question to the Asian group. I was afraid he was going to confront them so I stood still. The group looked at each other until one of them answered with “China”.
What? Canada?
China.
Oh, China. I’m from Australia, Adelaide. I have never got a chance to go to China. There are so many people there.
At this point, I already faced him and smiled because, you know, his last two sentences were quite funny. And that’s when the Australian asked me:
Where are you from?
I live in here. (I live in a convenient store???)
In a village?
Oh, no, nearby.
Bali is a beautiful place.
followed by my “yes” and my awkward smile. Minutes later, the girls still couldn’t decide. There were still 3 transactions-to-be before me (oh, how the cashier boy was so patient!).
They are taking so long, huh?
Yeah.
Then I decided to go to another store BUT NOT before I left a proper something to say. So, I said:
I’m done with this!!
The walkout.
–
Dear Australian guy,
Thank you for showing me things to do to people who sucks at queueing. Instead of cursing them, you have taught me how to start a small talk even with a cliche question. It was scary at first. you have to admit it, with your voice and all. And thank you for your understanding in my grammatically incorrect answer. I promise I’ll practice and practice.
the girl in front of you in the queue,
Catch A Lot Of Fishes, Eh?
Few months ago, I’ve been assigned to an English class at my office, the interactive communication class. It’s fun, no homework, it’s fun. Well, except for the final test. Small talk! Blah! I mean it’s not working for me in my native language, let alone the second language!
Anyway, last weekend I went swimming. After my routine I just played around and at certain point I had this idea to practice diving. When I came up into the surface, I heard:
You catch a lot of fishes there?
followed by my “pardon me?”
You catch a lot of fishes there?
followed by my “I’m sorry?”
You catch a lot of fishes there?
followed by my “Oh!” and my awkward laugh.
The catch-a-lot-of-fish-guy then dived in the pool. His friend, eager to show my poor listening and communication skill, then said to me:
Look! A Whale!
followed by my “eh?”
A whale!
(pointing at his friend)
followed by my “Oh!” and my awkward laugh.
followed by a silent moment.
followed by my attempt to break the ice (because I guess, it’s my turn)
Are you on holiday?
Cliche. Gee..
–
Dear two strangers,
Thank you for the fish and whale lines. I promise I will try to use it to some other strangers.
I should’ve responded you with something like “yeah, enough fish for my dinner” or “what a huge whale there!” or anything else and thank you for bearing the talk with me.
the stranger at the pool,