How to have better conversations with people you’ve just met, according to science

Think of the last conversation you had with someone you didn’t know. Did certain moments feel awkward? Did you find the other person interesting? Did the other person find you interesting? Were you glad you had the conversation?

Research from a group of social psychologists would suggest the answer to all of those questions would be yes.

The researchers led a workshop for individuals in the community to learn how to get better at talking to strangers, and asked participants about those conversations — both before and after they happened.

The results showed that both prior to and after having the conversation, people thought they would find their partners interesting, explains study author Gillian Sandstrom, PhD, senior lecturer in the department of psychology at University of Essex. But, they don’t think that their partner will find them as interesting in return, she tells NBC News BETTER. “And nearly everyone says the conversations actually went way better than they thought.”

The results were published in the journal “Psychological Science” in the fall and presented at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology Annual Convention in February.

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