A casual conversation with a stranger may seem like a small thing, but it’s linked to a greater sense of well-being and social connectedness. This is according to a study conducted by Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) and Stichting Praatje among 447 Dutch people. On days when participants had one or more casual conversations, they felt happier and less lonely than on days without such conversations. They also reported greater trust in others and greater social cohesion.
The researchers also see evidence that continuing to draw attention to small talk can help. Participants who used Praatje’s educational materials during the second week of the study continued to engage in small talk about as often as they did during the first week, while participants without these materials engaged in less small talk.
“People often expect that striking up a conversation with a stranger will be awkward, when in fact they often come away with a positive feeling,” says Paul van Lange, professor of social psychology. “A greeting, a compliment, or a short question can be enough to make contact. Our results show that small talk can be simple; it most often begins with a greeting and lasts 1–3 minutes. Moreover, engaging in small talk more frequently can make it easier.”
From Research to Practice
The research findings form the basis for the first nationwide “Week of Small Talk,” taking place October 12–16. The Praatje Foundation is translating the insights from the research into concrete ways to lower the barrier to making contact.
Throughout the Netherlands, people can practice striking up a conversation. For example, “chat zones” will be set up in public locations, along with a free mini-course and educational materials for schools. Restaurants, libraries, gyms, and other public venues can also sign up to become “chat zones.”
This aligns with a key finding from the research: 86 percent of Dutch people enjoy making small talk, both for themselves and for the other person. So the problem doesn’t seem to be so much that people don’t want to make contact, but rather that taking that first step can sometimes be difficult.
Roderik Schaepman, founder of Stichting Praatje: “A chat with a stranger costs you nothing, but can be incredibly rewarding. You might walk away with a valuable insight, a good story, or simply a happier feeling. With this week, we want to help people experience how easy and meaningful such a small moment can be.”
Social Significance
Loneliness and social connectedness are important societal issues. A chat isn’t a cure for loneliness, but research does show that everyday social contact is linked to various aspects of well-being and connectedness. Because a chat requires little time, money, or preparation, it can be an accessible way to encourage more social interaction in daily life.
From October 12 through 16, everyone in the Netherlands is therefore invited to put this to the test: strike up a conversation with someone you don’t know yet—on the street, on the train, over coffee, or at work.
The free mini-course, app, teaching package, and materials for conversation spots are available at www.praat.je.
About the study
The study was conducted by social psychologists Paul van Lange and Terence Dores Cruz of VU University Amsterdam, in collaboration with the Praatje Foundation. A total of 447 Dutch residents aged 18 and older participated in the study. For two weeks, participants used their smartphones to keep a daily journal tracking their conversation habits and well-being. After the first week, half of the participants used the Praatje educational materials, while the other half did not.
This is an exploratory study that is still ongoing. The results show a correlation between social contact and well-being, but do not prove that casual conversations directly cause these positive outcomes. Further research is needed to investigate this more thoroughly.