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Chatting with strangers makes you more cheerful and happy. Check out this fascinating research.
Silence might be golden. But chatting it up with strangers can stop you from being blue.
According to 2 recent research studies, when you take time to strike up conversations with people, you wind up increasing your happiness.
The first study focused on two groups of Chicago train commuters.
Those who chatted with strangers reported a far more happy train ride experience than those who stayed quiet.
These results happened despite the fact that the “quiet commuters” wrongly predicted they’d feel happier if they did not talk to anybody on the train.
Another interesting study examined how customers felt after they’d sparked up a genuine interaction with the cashiers or baristas serving them.
Those customers who said they chatted with their server, and connected in a meaningful way, wound up feeling far happier and cheerier than non-chatty customers.
It seems the simple act of asking someone how they are (and showing interest in the answer) successfully increased joy for both people in the conversation. It’s a two-way win.
Research shows that the need to connect socially with others is as basic as our need for food, water and shelter.
Connectivity increases positivity.
With this in mind, make it a daily habit to start up a conversation with your server – or someone you are waiting in line with.
Idea: Tell them about these 2 studies.
You’ll literally feel happy you did.
Check out my bestselling book Think Happy! Boost your confidence, attitude, and mood with this powerful and thought provoking collection of short micro essays. Learn more here!