My mother-in-law enjoys hosting dinner parties with guests who can engage in stimulating conversation. I recall one statement that she made over thirty years ago that still intrigues me. "He's a great ...

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 ...

“What’s up?” is a conversational dead end, too. Here are some alternatives to spark a satisfying chat. By Jancee Dunn A friend of mine told me that she feels a bit anxious when someone greets her with ...

Most of us don’t wake up eager for a difficult conversation. By their very nature, these conversations can feel uncomfortable, challenging, and awkward. You’ve likely faced one you dreaded, put off, ...

If you want to feel closer to your friends, you don’t need to overhaul your social life. Instead, experts suggest a small, manageable shift: Ask one deeper-than-usual question the next time you talk.

You probably ask many of the people you interact with every day the same question: “How are you?” Yet this phrase, once a genuine inquiry, has morphed into little more than a reflexive greeting we say ...

I recently asked an acquaintance how she was four times in a row. Here's how to avoid getting stuck on this conversational hamster wheel. While checking in at the gym the other day, I chirped, “Hey, ...