Humans are social beings by nature. Just as it is for many other creatures, social behavior is crucial for our survival: Cooperating with other people, exchanging experiences, knowledge and feelings with them, as well as spending quality time together, are all necessary for us to thrive. In fact, people who are lonely or socially isolated usually have a higher risk of cardiac death, dementia, and depression. Having poorer — and fewer —social ties is also associated with impaired immune function, further establishing that our social networks fulfill an essential human need.
Luckily, establishing good social relationships often start with a simple conversation. For those who are afraid to talk to new people or struggle with social anxiety, however, that doesn't always come easily. People often expect that talking to strangers will be awkward and unpleasant, or that the other person would be disinterested in them. But despite that common assumption when it comes to initiating conversations, here’s what the research actually says.
