Small talk is a bit of a misnomer. While it's defined as polite conversation about unimportant matters, it's an important ...

Striking up a conversation—especially with a stranger—is a lot like adding kindling to a fire pit and hoping it ignites.

It's not always easy to figure out what to say in a casual conversation, especially when you don't know someone well. But ...

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 ...

You might be waiting for a bus or waiting for a coffee. Maybe you've just bumped into a neighbor, or an old colleague you're struggling to find conversational common ground with. But no matter ...

An evening out on the town with my closest friends — I love the promise of a night out. Maybe I’ll meet someone or learn something that could alter the trajectory of my life. And what a promise that ...

ATLANTA — You're standing in line at the supermarket or drugstore when a stranger speaks up. "Hello, how are you?" the stranger greets you. "Good, and you?" might be your response. Your conversation ...

Tension: We crave genuine connection but often feel inauthentic or drained by the social rituals designed to create it. Noise: Pop psychology and social pressure frame small talk as a necessary skill ...