A majority of American adults experience loneliness, and social networks shrink over time: one study reports losing half of friends every seven years. Entering a romantic relationship typically reduces about two social ties, with parents losing even more. People who actively initiate and cultivate connections rebuild social circles most successfully. Starting conversations is the first step toward friendship. Many people underestimate strangers' willingness to converse: surveys show only 40 percent expect openness, but strangers respond positively about 92 percent of the time. Simple icebreakers like genuine compliments and asking for opinions help open new interactions.
A whopping 58 percent of American adults report being lonely. Every seven years,people lose half their friends, according to one study. And the average person loses two social ties, including friends, when they get into a romantic relationship. Those with kids lose even more. As a psychologist and expert on human connection, I know that the people who are most successful in building and rebuilding their social circles are the ones who don't wait for new friends to come to them. They initiate and cultivate.
Striking up conversations with new people is the first step of any friendship. While talking to a stranger may seem nerve-racking, people are more open to conversation than you think. One study found that only 40 percent of people thought the first stranger they approached would be open to talking to them, and yet, in reality, strangers were open to talking 92 percent of the time.
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