Hi Honey,
You've got a sweet name, Honey. :D
I think I would have become a real motormouth (in English of course; I don't enjoy Chinese talking very much) if I were in your shoes.
During the time in HangZhou when I accompanied Tim to see LinYin Temple, I started up a conversation with two foreigners whom I first met with. Tim was reveling
in appreciating all those items they showcased in the shop, which I wasn't very
much interested in, then I walked outside and noticed two exotic-looking men sitting outside the souvenir shop. They were sitting there resting so I thought I
wouldn't be disturbing them by having a brief conversation with them. I went up
to them and smiled a hi to them. They sure looked glad, though also a bit surprised, to have this stranger Chinese coming to greet them. I soon learned they were from Denmark, and their pure American accent did amaze me much. When being told my confusion about whether all westerners could speak such perfect English, one of them smiled and told me he had had an experience of living in New York for
some years. That's it. I was also deeply impressed when they told me they only came to visit China without any local connections, I mean they didn't know anybody in China before their trip. They smiled when I showed them my appreciation for
their courage. Then Tim noticed and came out to join our small talk.
See? It's not as tough to strike a conversation with a stranger foreign visitor
as you may think. They will usually be pleased to have you talking to them in their mother tongue. But noticing and being aware of whether they are willing and
ready to have a casual talk with you, a stranger to them, is as important as the
manner you converse with them. Nobody enjoys being disturbed and disrupted from
what they are relishing in; you may be given not more than a cold shoulder if you recklessly show yourself up in front of them. It takes common sense as well as courage to have a pleasant conversation with your new friends.
It's even easier to talk to someone you already know for some time, of course. And it won't take long for you two to become friends if you can reveal common interest by having some small talk. Remember, despite the different language they speak, and different culture, foreigners usually share the same common sense as ours.
It's only normal that we speak English with a bit of an accent; even native speakers from different countries or even from different areas within a country may
carry some different tones. The point is not the faster you speak the better, but the clearer the better. Don't let Hollywood movies fool you. In daily communications common people don't really enjoy showing off their language skills. Your
English proficiency may amaze them somehow, but what they really care about is your very ideas. Since they are well aware that English isn't your first language
, they'll usually be very forgiving for any mistakes you might make during your
intercourse, some of which may actually be otherwise very offending.
It's a good idea that you learn something about their culture before you go up to them for oral communications. They are generally more than willing to help you
with your spoken English, but they might not be very happy if constantly being
asked very personal questions such as personal weight, incomes, political or sexual mores. Such topics are often considered taboos among not-very-close acquaintances. You can, of course, broach such private subjects when you feel you are friends. It's not a good idea to wear out your welcome though. According to my observation, most foreigners are very religious people unlike us. It's ok to enquire them of what they believe in and further the discussion if you find the topic
is welcome. One tip to always keep in mind is that always show your sincerity, respect, and understanding for their belief.
I am sometimes amazed at the fact that I never seem to get too shy or nervous to
talk to foreign friends. Some of my friends do. They can read and write very well, but talking in English to a stranger is just one of the most menacing missions for them. I think my ease with this tough task is attributable to my constantly orally mimicking the English programs I've been listening to for the years. After all the efforts, my verbal organs have become used, and attuned, to this language, which used to sound so terribly unintelligible to me in the first place.
The process of the learning might be tough, but it's fun as well. So my suggestion is that you always imitate what they say, slowly and clearly, word by word,
when you listen to your tapes, and make it a rule. After a few monthes of such training, you'll delightedly find talking to foreigners isn't as much difficult,
and all of a sudden your shyness is gone. Just do your homework and see if it works. :)
Enjoy the conversation.
Pan.
