Connection keeps you well

Harvard's 85-year happiness study found relationships are what let people flourish long term. Having even one person you can count on lifts daily happiness.

Adult friendship is hard

Once you're past school and early jobs, meeting people and clicking with them takes effort. The question is whether to trust your instincts or use openers that work.

Ask, don't pitch

Michèle Ruffaut, a repartee expert, says the fastest route to connection is a question. People are most interested when the subject is them.

“Ce qui intéresse le plus l'autre, c'est que l'on parle de lui”

Skip the generic opener

"What do you do for a living?" goes nowhere. Try "what are you passionate about right now?" and the other person talks about something they actually care about.

“Qu'est-ce qui te passionne en ce moment ?”

The five that work

What activity relaxes you most? Eaten anywhere good lately? Most incredible place you've visited? Do you have siblings, what are they like? What are you working on now?

Find the shared spark

Alison Wood Brooks, a philosophy PhD, told Verywell Mind the options are endless, so aim for topics that grip both of you. That's what makes a conversation memorable.

“Il est donc conseillé de trouver des sujets qui intéressent ou captivent les deux interlocuteurs”