Striking up a conversation—especially with a stranger—is a lot like adding kindling to a fire pit and hoping it ignites. Choose the wrong starter, and the flame will fizzle out. But when you get it ...

You probably already know that a significant portion of our daily interactions involves small talk. These casual ...

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Andriy Onufriyenko Wondering how to start a conversation? I could say simply that you aren’t alone in wondering. Or I could break ...

I don’t love talking with strangers. I’m an introvert at heart, and making an effort to engage in social interaction often drains my energy. But still, I do it. Not because I feel like I have to, but ...

All products featured on Self are independently selected by Self editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, Condé Nast may earn an affiliate commission. Learning how to get ...

Some professionals shudder at the idea of “small talk,” but it can be a powerful tool for building rapport with people you’re meeting for the first time—and for opening doors at networking events. A ...

Have you ever met someone new and felt like the two of you just “clicked.” We “hit it off” is how you might describe the encounter, marveling at how the conversation just flowed even though the two of ...

Learning how to get better at small talk might not seem like much of a conversational superpower. Arguably everyone’s least favorite part of socializing, surface-level chitchat can be awkward, ...