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

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 ...

Many people noticed that their social skills got a little rusty during the pandemic. My latest book discusses the psychology of mirrors and reflections. Research explains why being reflected by others ...

Small talk is a common element of workplace environments, but some welcome it more than others, research shows, and some avoid it altogether. Other research has found that while the presence of ...

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 ...

It never fails to surprise me how many people are fearless about delivering speeches and presentations to large audiences but paralyzed by the prospect of making small talk. As a speech and ...

Get inspired by a weekly roundup on living well, made simple. Sign up for CNN’s Life, But Better newsletter for information and tools designed to improve your well-being. You’re standing in line at ...

Some people prefer silence over constant talk. Psychology suggests this reflects deep thinking and energy management. These ...

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 ...

This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The ...

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Conversations, whether at holiday parties or other times of the year, don’t have to be awkward. (Getty Images) (Rawpixel via Getty ...