Humans are complex creatures: there is no clear and definite guide to a human's feelings and thoughts, and a lot of incomprehensible things happen in human life. This also often happens when we try to interact with other people. If you find it difficult to interact with other people, rest easy, because wikiHow will help you. Get started with the first step below to learn how to interact smoothly and fun.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Overcoming Obstacles That Cause Non-Smooth Interaction
Step 1. Find the cause of your doubts
Why don't you interact with other people? Or do you feel like you can't interact properly? You can find the problem, and it can't be solved in a short time. In the meantime, try some of these suggestions.
Step 2. Cope with your social anxiety
For some, interacting with other people can be stressful. If you're anxious about talking to other people, it's best to focus on dealing with your anxiety first.
Step 3. Believe in yourself
If you are afraid that you will fail to make friends or are afraid that you will constantly upset other people, then you will have a hard time interacting with other people. Believe in yourself and you will realize that interaction is easy.
Step 4. Respect yourself
If you often think that other people will not accept you because they are so much better than you, then you are missing out on the wonderful world of interaction! Start by recognizing and appreciating your strengths, then you will see the world from a different angle.
Step 5. Be confident
Lack of self-confidence will make it difficult for you to interact with other people, often because the other person senses that you are not confident, and this makes him nervous too. Build your confidence, or at least learn how to pretend to be confident so that other people are comfortable interacting with you and like you more.
Step 6. Practice
Social interaction is also a skill, and any ability can be honed with diligent practice. Practice your social skills by practicing them as often as possible. You can start interacting with family members or even strangers you meet, such as merchants or bank tellers.
Part 2 of 4: Getting Started
Step 1. Introduce yourself
When you're interacting with someone for the first time, it's a good idea to introduce yourself. However, you should also pay attention to the right circumstances to introduce yourself.
- Approaching a stranger and immediately introducing yourself will make you sound like a weirdo or like someone trying to offer a product.
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Introduce yourself when you meet someone at a party, this is a good idea. Especially if you feel at a party that is more formal and professional, for example a party related to your business or work.
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Step 2. Talk to strangers
If you're not the type of person who interacts a lot with other people, and want to start being an engaging person, you can start by talking to some of the strangers you meet. It's not as bad as you might think! Find the right reasons to start a conversation and let things happen naturally. Who knows you will make new friends.
Step 3. Make friends
The people you are most comfortable with are friends, and having lots of friends will improve your quality of life. For people who are shy and don't socialize much, making friends can be difficult. However, with patience and perseverance, you will make many friends. Remember to be yourself and maintain friendships with people who make your life better.
Step 4. Treat your friends well
If you already have friends, treat them kindly and kindly. Interacting is one good way to do this. Help your friends in need and lighten their load by talking to them. Listen to their stories about their day, and get them to share some of their burdens with you.
Step 5. Talk to your friends
Even if you feel like you have nothing to talk about, you should still try to start a conversation. The odd silence will cause your friends to worry or even get nervous… even make them feel neglected!
Step 6. Make your conversation interesting
Tell me about something you understand well. Ask questions, listen carefully to the answers, and take turns talking. Don't be in control of the whole conversation, but don't be silent either. Conversation requires effort on both sides!
Part 3 of 4: Creating Interaction Opportunities
Step 1. Take advantage of the environment around you
Whether you're a student or an adult, you're sure to have people around you with whom you can interact. Schoolmates or coworkers are good examples for you to interact with.
Step 2. Join an online community
Especially for people who have social anxiety, online communities can be a good place to practice social interactions. You can start by searching for fan groups for TV shows or books, or you can volunteer to volunteer at sites like wikiHow.
Step 3. Join the local community
Apart from online communities, there are also real-life communities and groups. Real communities will better support your social interaction practice. Most schools have a diverse community/organization, but adults can also find local communities nearby as well (usually through the local library or community center).
Step 4. Volunteer
Volunteering is a great way to meet people and contribute to your community at the same time. From soup kitchens to fundraising, building houses to blanketing animals, there are many ways to help your community and ample opportunity to meet kind-hearted people willing to help like you.
Step 5. Join a religious group
Be it churches, temples, mosques, or other places of worship, places like this will be a safe environment to meet and interact with other people. You can also meet new people you can make friends with, because you will meet people with the same interests and beliefs as you. You can also try to join a group that accepts all different beliefs.
Step 6. Socialize more with the friends you have
If you feel that it is not suitable for you to apply the methods above, you can try to socialize more with the friends you have. Start by throwing a small party or creating a specific book community. Do something fun for you and your friends.
Part 4 of 4: Interact Well
Step 1. Be friendly
Speak in a friendly manner when you interact with other people. Appreciate their presence and interact positively. Don't lie or talk about them behind your back. Basically, treat them as you would like to be treated by others.
Step 2. Be polite
It is very important that you always act and speak politely to everyone you meet, even though others may be rude to you. Use words like "please" and "thank you," and let the other person finish before you speak. You also have to be patient with them. Apart from you, other people may also have difficulty when they want to interact with others (or maybe because of other things, such as a disability or mental illness.) Be polite as you were taught by your mother.
Step 3. Be humble
Don't be busy talking and bragging about yourself. This will make the other person dislike you and not want to talk to you anymore. Give everyone a chance to talk and don't feel like a know-it-all when they're trying to tell you something.
Step 4. Be friendly
Don't show disinterest or indifference when the other person is talking. Maintain eye contact, smile, listen, and show a positive mood (even if you're in a bad mood).
Step 5. Respect others
Get in the habit of appreciating everyone you interact with. give them a chance to talk, don't offend them, respect their different viewpoints, and treat them the way you want to be treated.
Step 6. Be a good listener
The most important part of interacting is listening to the other person. Get in the habit of listening a lot more than talking, and maybe some of your talking share is a response to what you hear from them. Practice your listening skills, as well as your ability to understand the hidden meanings of other people's words. After some time you practice, you will be good at this.
Tips
- "You can't make a fake expression without actually feeling it. Get in the habit of smiling even when you're having a bad day. At first, it might seem like a really forced smile, but if you get used to it, you'll feel better. On the other hand, you can't fake negative expressions either, so avoid pretending you're in a bad mood, because if you're not an actor/actress, it won't do you any good in your life.
- Humans are empathetic creatures. We understand each other's emotions through body language and speech. Everyone around you affects your mood, and vice versa. Start the habit of smiling, walking with enthusiasm, and enjoying the things around you. Even if you've looked at your surroundings a thousand times, there's still something that will surprise and amuse you when you pay close attention.
Warning
- Always prepare yourself to look friendly. Even well-meaning interactions can be misunderstood by others if you appear unfriendly.
- Don't cross your limits. It's a good thing to have short, positive interactions with people you're willing to interact with. However, suddenly trying to force a conversation with a stranger is a bad idea and will lead to a nervous and awkward atmosphere. You have to be able to feel your boundaries by instinct, don't cross them!
