I know this is the Anti Small Talk Website but small talk is one of the most effective social glues out there for getting to know people and forming friendships with them.
When I was just starting out at a job right after college I had a coworker who I thought was the nicest person alive and after a few weeks I realized this was just because she consistently asked other people things like, “How ya doing? Whatcha having for lunch? Got any weekend plans? Seen any good movies lately?” instead of politely ignoring everyone around her.
ALT
Wow! It turns out that being interested in people’s day to day lives makes them like you more!
ALT