Going big on small talk

It’s party season – whether it’s your work summer do, a wedding, end-of-term socials for your kids, or just a barbecue with friends. There’s a lot of mixing, mingling and making small talk in this glo

Chatting with a barista in the coffee shop, nodding at that woman you see every day as you walk your dog. Sociologists call this type of connection ‘weak ties’, but their impact is anything but weak, writes Kellie Gillespie Wright.

Does small talk at the buffet and mingling on the dance floor fill you with dread? Uncover the strategies to help address social angst

Research reveals there’s a gap between how ‘liked’ you think you are and how much your friends, colleagues and acquaintances really do enjoy your company. Acting health editor Chloe Gray reports on how to bridge it

Get it right and it can enhance your relationships and appreciation of the world

You don’t always have to be the font of all knowledge. In fact, sometimes it’s good to be clueless, discovers Harriet Minter