, Columnist
Let’s Dare to Have Deeper Conversations, Even With Strangers
It’s not nearly as awkward as it sounds and makes us feel more connected. And best of all, other people are actually interested in what we have to say.
Getting past the small talk.
Photographer: Menahem Kahana/AFP via Getty Images
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I’m already on record for immodestly correcting the great philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre on his definition of hell. It’s not “other people,” as he stipulated. More precisely, it’s small talk with other people.
Well, new research in psychology now points, if not to heaven, at least toward a way to make hell a lot less hellish. It turns out that we all could and should cut down on small talk and attempt more meaningful conversations, even with strangers. We’d feel a lot better as a result.