Striking up a conversation—especially with a stranger—is a lot like adding kindling to a fire pit and hoping it ignites.

Whether you've just met or been together for decades, these romantic conversation starters can help ignite a spark and keep it alive.

You probably already know that a significant portion of our daily interactions involves small talk. These casual ...

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 ...

You’re standing in line at the supermarket or drugstore when a stranger speaks up. “Hello, how are you?” the stranger greets you. “Good, and you?” might be your response. Your conversation partner ...

We’ve all been there. Whether it’s checking out at a store or trying to lull the awkwardness when meeting someone new, small talk has been used by all of us. For some people, having these little ...

One skill I have studied over the course of my 30-year career as a trial lawyer is the art of inquiry. From initial client meetings to preliminary investigation to cross-examination, good information ...

Some professionals shudder at the idea of “small talk,” but it can be a powerful tool for building rapport with people you’re meeting for the first time—and for opening doors at networking events. A ...

Have you ever met someone new and felt like the two of you just “clicked.” We “hit it off” is how you might describe the encounter, marveling at how the conversation just flowed even though the two of ...

It's easy to say, "I'm not good at small talk" and simply try to ignore it, Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of Habit argues that small talk isn't an innate skill, but rather a learned behavior.