Do you find it hard talking to strangers? Then check this out

We've all been there: you're sitting at your desk, minding your own business when suddenly a coworker walks by with a smile on their face. They say hello and ask how you're doing when they don't even know you. It's so strange and it happens way too often!

It has happened to me a lot and one notable occurrence happened recently. It was on a Sunday and I was standing in front of a house waiting for a friend. I was listening to music through my earpods and I usually turn up the volume very high. Suddenly, the gate of the house I was standing in front opened and someone stepped out.

I didn't mind him and I thought he will head off to his intended location but I noticed he was still standing close to me, so I paused my music and removed the earpods. He greeted me and said he has been talking to me and didn't realize I was listening to music. From there he started talking to me like he knew me for years, it was very awkward for someone like me who wasn't used to talking to strangers but I was able to hold my own until my friend arrived.

Model Source

I admire people who can easily talk to anybody they come across, they carry this aura of confidence and charisma that makes it comfortable for you to talk to them (just like the young man I talked about earlier). Having charisma is one of the best ways to socialize with people easily but what does it even mean?

Charisma is the ability to make people feel comfortable around you. It is a natural ability that allows you to connect with people in a way that makes them feel good about themselves, which in turn makes them feel more confident and open around you. It's a combination of your personality, sense of humor, and confidence and it also includes how you talk.

Socializing with people can be challenging for some, especially if they're introverted or shy (like me!). But there are ways to make it easier! Whether it's in person or online, charisma is something that can be learned. All it takes is practice! Here are some tips for learning how to socialize with people easily by having charisma:

1. Be yourself!

You'll never learn how to connect with others if you don't let them get to know you first. That's why it's so important to be authentic, don't try to be someone else just because it's "expected" or "right." Be yourself, be honest, and let your personality shine through, that's the best way for others to connect with you and feel comfortable around you too. If you try to fake it, then no one will ever trust you!

2. know your audience

If you're trying to learn how to socialize with people easily by having charisma, it's important that you know who you're talking to. Think about who's in your space; are they friendly? Do they like being around other people? Are they down-to-earth and friendly? Or are they super outgoing and fun-loving?

3. Practice small talk

Talking about hobbies or interests can be really fun and interesting if you get into the right vibe with your conversation partner (like asking them what they think of [topic name]). Small talk can help break down barriers between you and others, making everyone feel more comfortable when they're around each other!

4. Listen better

This isn't just about hearing what someone else says, it also means paying attention and really hearing what they're saying, pay attention to body language too! You can tell if someone is interested in what you have to say by looking for ways that they lean in toward you or close their eyes when listening intently.

5. Ask questions

This is another great way to encourage conversation between two people who might not know each other very well yet. You want to make sure that your questions aren't too personal or intrusive, but they should still show interest in what they have to say and help them feel comfortable opening up more and sharing more details about themselves than might occur otherwise (like maybe sharing a funny story). I use this trick a lot and it's very effective, people generally like answering questions that are related to what they love.

6. Read books

One way to develop your social skills is through learning about human psychology. The best place to start is by reading books about human behavior and interaction, like The Charisma Myth: Why What You Think of Yourself May Surprise You by Dr. Robert Sternberg or How to Master the Art of Small Talk: Mastering Conversational Fluency for Career Success by Barbara Sher or How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie.

These books will help you learn about how people process information and what makes them feel comfortable around others, which will help you develop your social skills in a way that's authentic and real instead of artificial and forced.

7. Practice makes perfect!

This is the most important and everything I have mentioned earlier will become useless without this one. Even if you've never spoken to someone before, there are plenty of techniques that can help make things easier on yourself as well as them: try practicing saying hello first, ask questions about what they do for work or their favorite hobby, give compliments that aren't too intrusive, figure out their favorite topics and talk about them.

A very good way to practice is to seek out opportunities where people are already interacting with each other, like at parties or volunteering at organizations that host events regularly. This type of activity will force you into situations where there are more than two people present, so it will give you practice speaking up in front of groups and learning how to make small talk while maintaining eye contact with people.

Source

Conclusion

Ok, so I am not saying that it's easy to learn how to socialize with people, but I am saying that you can do it as long as you put in some effort to be charismatic. Charisma is certainly easier to develop than most people realize, but it will take some time and effort on your part. If you have the willpower to stick with it, the results could pay off in a big way down the line.

Thanks for reading 💖💖💖

Thursday August 4th, 2022

*Original content, first published on hive