Humans are social creatures – we live in groups, rely on others to survive and gossip at parties. But socializing can be hard, even for social creatures. Especially the first part: starting a conversation.
“It can feel daunting to go up to a stranger and start a conversation because in some instances, we are not sure how we will be received,” says Elaine Swann, a lifestyle and etiquette expert, and founder of the Swann School of Protocol. Will the other person be friendly or standoffish? Will they try to pull you into a multilevel marketing scheme? Will it simply be awkward?
