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Lesson 3 – How long have you been here?

Making Small Talk

Sergei, a Russian immigrant, is waiting in line at the INS. The line is very long, and itā€™s moving very slowly. Peter, an American standing in front of Sergei, turns around and strikes up a conversation. Sergei is surprised by his friendliness.

PeterI guess we didnā€™t have anything else to do today, did we?
SergeiWhat?
PeterI said I guess they think that we didn ā€˜t have anything else to do today. Itā€™s just that weā€™ve been in this line for a very long time. It seems like we arenā€™t going anywhere very fast.
SergeiYeah. I know. Iā€™ve been here since about 9:30. What about you?
PeterI think, I got here just a few minutes before you did. I decided to pick up a green-card application for my wife. I shouldā€™ve gotten it off the internet. That way I could have just stayed home. Say, where are you from?
SergeiMe? Iā€™m from Russia.
PeterOh, whereabout?
SergeiI lived in Moscow for most of my life, but I moved around a little. I was in the military.
PeterInteresting. Iā€™ve never been to Russia, but Iā€™ve always wanted to visit. It seems like such an interesting country. How long have you lived here?
SergeiIā€™ve live in San Diego for only a few weeks, but Iā€™ve been in the U.S. since August.
PeterWell, welcom to San Diego. I guess the weather must be a bit warmer than where youā€™re from, huh?
SergeiYes, thatā€™s true. Iā€™ve gotten used to it.
PeterHave you visited the zoo or Balboa Park yet?
SergeiNo, but I really want to go to Balboa Park. Iā€™ve heard about all the flowers and museums that are there.
ClerkNext!
PeterHey. Thatā€™s me. Gotta go. See you around.
SergeiOh. OK. See you.

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