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How to Skip the Small Talk and Have More Meaningful Conversations, According to Psychology

Research suggests deeper conversations are more enjoyable than we expect, and asking better questions can help you connect.

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The thought of small talk makes most people want to jump off a cliff, or at least hide in the bathroom until it’s socially acceptable to leave. The funny part is that the person on the other end of the conversation usually feels the same way.

Researchers tested this across a dozen experiments, pairing strangers up to discuss everyday subjects or more personal ones. People expected the deeper conversations to be painfully awkward, but ended up enjoying them more and feeling closer to the people they’d just met, according to the study. University of Chicago behavioral scientist Nicholas Epley said participants assumed opening up would be met with........

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