Dude you were a door to door sales man? The closest thing I ever did to that was when I first got to Japan, I was handing out tissues to people. Yea, unfortunately not the best way to make chit chat. Hey Stephen, Happy Tuesday! Yeah, so I like to chit chat. But I don't really start conversations, not that often. That being said, I do surround myself with a lot of people who like to chit chat and talk. Really talktivie people. Because of that I end up knowing everybody at all the restaurants in my neighborhood and they always come out to say hi, and its nice. I even say “Hi” to the person who cleans the apartment building next to my apartment building, who has no relationship to me at all. But every morning or so we exchange hi's. “How's the weather,” “Cold isn’t it?” sometimes I get the comments "aren't you cold" (or) "You're just wearing a shirt or shorts." (I) was doing the typical American or Gaijin thing. That looks like a good spot to sit. So with covid, alot of people have been working from home. There's not a lot of small talk at the office anymore. I miss that. I really do. Now most of my small talk is by email to clients and foreign vendors. Send an email out saying "hey can you fix this." Then send a seperate email out direct, just to the guy and (I am) like "Hey how it's going? How are your kids? Are you surviving well?" Thats most of my small talk this last year. This brings up one point about emails. So in the office, I look at peopl's english emails. And one thing I noticed is that they are really formal (katai). They often start with dear Mr. So and So. And they might end with "sincerely." Which is no way to start chit chat with clients or people you might be working with. I often start with a "hi,"or "Hello," “Hi friends,” “Hi colleagues” There is a variation. And they are less formal, but they are really good for even first time your meeting someone by email. That is a great way to jump a step past formal and go straight to "lets make a relationship." For ending you could end with, “best regards” or BR for short. “Many thanks” or and then even more casual, like if you get to the next level. “See you again,” “thanks,” “XoXo.” I don't think I have ever used the sign off xoxo. It hugs and kisses I guess. But I do get that from my mom, in a letter on Valentine’s Day. Speaking of that, Valentine’s day is coming up. I am thinking I might get the kids some chocolate or maybe go out for dinner? So Stephen, my question for you - What are you doing for Valentine’s day? Tell me about it Thursday. See you dude.
Vocabulary Match
sign off, surround, vendor, surviving1. ___________ = be all round
2. ___________ = company offering something for sale, trader
3. ___________ = remaining alive, continuing to exist
4. ___________ = not important or significant conversation
Comprehension Questions
Does Mason start conversations?
Who gives Mason letters with XoXo?
Discussion Questions
How do you sign off your emails?
Do you think its better to be formal? Or Friendly?
What are you doing for Valentine’s Day?
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