Forget the “Don’t talk to strangers” maxim you learned as a kid: brief, pleasant exchanges with people you don’t know well (or at all) can enhance your happiness, mood, energy, and overall well-being. That’s because small talk often promotes learning, expands your worldview, and contributes to a sense of belonging.
You can maximize these benefits by chatting up a wide range of people, research suggests. Conversing with your colleagues, barista,
