How To Get To Know Someone Better

Meeting new people is key to living a happy life. Making small talk and having surface level conversations is pretty easy. However, it is important that we get to know people on deeper levels in order to gain trust and build relationships.

Listen

When you are meeting new people, you always need to listen. Listen to what they have to say, listen for things they are interested in, and listen to them when they are telling stories. The simple act of listening shows that you care and that you are willing to put in effort. Most people love to know that they are heard; it makes us feel appreciated.

Ask Open-Ended Questions

When you are in the process of getting to know someone, numerous questions are always exchanged back and forth. Try to make your questions open-ended. Questions that can be answered with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ will make the conversation boring, and this can even cause people to think that you are not interested in getting to know them. Asking questions that require a deeper, more thoughtful response will take care of those awkward silences and it will often make the conversation flow more smoothly!

Be Yourself

Most importantly, when you are meeting new people, just be yourself. As cliché as it may sound, it’s important that people get to know you for who you really are. There is no need to put on an act. There will always be people who love you and some who don’t. It doesn’t matter whether you are meeting a new friend, new employer, or even a love interest; simply being yourself will get you the farthest.

It can be difficult to break past the surface level conversations when you are meeting new people. If you’re struggling with this, trust me, you are not alone. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and expand your circle!