Ditch small talk with strangers

TALKING to a stranger about the weather or mundane dayto-day topics is a less enjoyable and ineffective way of connecting, according to a new study.

Research published by the American Psychological Association found people tend to lean on small talk with strangers because we wrongly assume others won’t be interested in our lives.

The study said the idea of deeper conversations being more awkward and less enjoyable was wrong.

“Connecting with others in meaningful ways tends to make people happier,” the study authors said.