Harden Elkington
According to research published by the American Psychological Association, we frequently stick to small talk with strangers because we underestimate how interested others are in our lives and mistakenly believe that deeper conversations will be more uncomfortable and less pleasurable than they really are.
The truth is, that research shows that people who engage in deeper conversations with strangers experience more psychological benefits than those who stick to small talk.
The psychology research team who conducted the study found that people who engage in deeper conversations with strangers feel more connected to others are better able to understand their own emotions and feel more engaged and interested in life.
In other words, they found that people who have deep conversations with strangers are more psychologically healthy than those who don’t.
The psychology research
The psychology research team who conducted the study found that people who engage in deeper conversations with strangers feel more connected to others are better able to understand their own emotions and feel more engaged and interested in life.
In other words, they found that people who have deep conversations with strangers are more psychologically healthy than those who don’t.
The study’s authors say that we should view strangers not as potential threats, but as potential friends.
And they suggest that we should make a conscious effort to engage in deeper conversations with the people we meet every day.
Of course, it can be scary to put yourself out there and strike up a conversation with a stranger.
But the next time you’re feeling shy or nervous about talking to someone new, remember that you could be doing them (and yourself) a lot of good.
The benefits of deep conversation with strangers
The benefits of deep conversation with strangers include:
- Increased well-being and satisfaction with life
- Greater feelings of connectedness and social connectedness
- More trust in others
- Greater self-disclosure
- More cooperation from others
- Less prejudice
- Enhanced creativity
- A deeper understanding of others
- A greater understanding of oneself
- More meaningful lives
Why people don’t like it?
A lot of people don’t like to engage in deep conversations with strangers because they find it uncomfortable. They might also believe that they won’t be able to relate to the other person or that the conversation will be dull.
Additionally, some people may feel like they need to keep up a certain persona when talking to others and feel like they can’t be themselves.
Finally, some people may simply not be used to talking about certain topics with strangers.
How to engage in deep conversation?
If you want to engage in deep conversation with a stranger, start by asking open-ended questions that can’t be answered with a simple yes or no.
For example, instead of asking “Do you like your job?” ask “What do you like most about your job?” or “What’s the most challenging part of your job?”
You can also discuss personal topics such as your hobbies, interests, and family. Just make sure that you’re respectful of the other person’s privacy and don’t share too much information too soon.
Finally, be an active listener and make sure to give the other person your full attention. This means making eye contact, nodding your head, and responding with thoughtful comments.
By following these tips, you can encourage the other person to open up and share more about themselves. In turn, this will help you learn more about them and create a deeper connection.
Steps in connecting deeply with a stranger
There are a few steps one can take in order to connect deeply with a stranger.
- Ask open-ended questions
- Share personal information thoughtfully
- Be an active listener
- Respect the other person’s privacy
- Follow up on the conversation later
By following these steps, you can create a deeper connection with someone you don’t know very well. This can be beneficial for both parties involved as it can lead to increased well-being and satisfaction with life, among other things.
It’s important to remember that not everyone is comfortable with engaging in deep conversations with strangers. If the other person seems uncomfortable or doesn’t want to talk about certain topics, it’s best to respect their wishes and move on.
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Summary
People who engage in deep conversations with strangers tend to be happier and have a better understanding of others. It’s important to respect the other person’s privacy and follow up on the conversation later.
Not everyone is comfortable with engaging in deep conversations with strangers. If the other person seems uncomfortable or doesn’t want to talk about certain topics, it’s best to respect their wishes and move on.
Deep conversations can be beneficial for both parties involved as they can lead to increased well-being and satisfaction with life, among other things.
So the next time you’re talking to someone you don’t know very well, take the opportunity to go a little bit deeper. Who knows, you might just make a new friend in the process
