Discover how a former bathroom-stall hider who once chose toilet cubicles over conversations learned to navigate social events without becoming someone she's not.

Wondering how to start a conversation? I could say simply that you aren’t alone in wondering. Or I could break the fourth wall a little. Humor me the latter. As a writer in the digital age with access ...

Small talk gets a bad rap, but let’s be honest—it’s the bridge between strangers and connection. Whether you're at a networking event, a party, or stuck in an elevator with your boss’s boss, knowing ...

I don’t love talking with strangers. I’m an introvert at heart, and making an effort to engage in social interaction often drains my energy. But still, I do it. Not because I feel like I have to, but ...

All products featured on Self are independently selected by Self editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, Condé Nast may earn an affiliate commission. Learning how to get ...

To generate chemistry and compatibility, consider the significance of small talk in any setting as an enjoyable method of ...

Charles Duhigg, author of "The Power of Habit," argues that small talk isn't an innate skill, but rather a learned behavior that can be studied and crafted to perfectly suit any situation — whether ...

Think about what it's like to be at a birthday dinner where you have to interact with your friend's neighbors for the first time, or what it's like to be waiting for a Zoom to begin with coworkers you ...