Ever find yourself standing there, palms sweating, brain waving a tiny white flag when it’s time to introduce yourself? You want to make a great impression—maybe meet someone special or just make a new friend—but all you can think of is the back of your own hand. Happens to the best of us. Funny thing is, today’s planets are nudging us out of our shells—Mercury’s got that chatty vibe going on, coaxing even the most awkward butterflies to take flight. So, what if I told you, mastering an intro isn’t rocket science? It’s less about rehearsed lines and more about a few simple moves that make conversations flow like your favorite sitcom riff. Curious? Let’s unpack five key traits that socially savvy people slip on like their favorite pair of jeans—effortless, comfortable, and totally disarming. Trust me, once you get the hang of these, even the most nerve-wracking hello will feel like a breeze. Ready to turn those sweaty palms into high-fives? LEARN MORE.
When you are meeting new people, do your palms get sweaty, and you clam up, as you stand there awkwardly unable to think of a single thing to say? If so, you aren’t alone. Many people find it difficult and uncomfortable to introduce themselves, no matter how much they want to meet men or women and find love or make new friends.
Take a page from people who rock introductions. They just have a way of putting others at ease, making conversation feel effortless, and leaving a positive impression without even trying.
Advertisement
One thing that never fails is to smile and say, “Hi, I’m Ronnie. What’s your name?” This works with or without the handshake. You can’t go wrong with this standard introduction.
Next, ask where the person is from and share where you live. “I’m from Milford. Where are you from?”
But then, you might be left staring at each other in awkward silence, not knowing what to say next. For help, try any of the other four suggestions below to get the conversation rolling and make new friends.
Advertisement
Miljan Zivkovic / Shutterstock
One of the best ways to get better at meeting people is to make a game out of it. Challenge yourself to meet three new people at your next outing and don’t let yourself wiggle out of it! Get a friend to do this with you and compete to see who can meet more people.
Advertisement
Having to approach three people in a short amount of time will give you the practice you need. Sometimes, just repeating the process over and over allows you to feel more comfortable and less awkward.
While research doesn’t always explicitly state that challenging yourself is a direct sign of social skills, there’s a strong link between personal growth, self-improvement, and certain traits associated with embracing challenges and better social competence. Individuals with a growth mindset, who see challenges as opportunities for learning and improvement rather than threats, are more likely to embrace social situations and learn from feedback.
If you want to meet someone, but aren’t sure what to say, ask a question. This is one of the easiest ways to break the ice with anyone because you are making them do the talking!
Advertisement
For example, if you’re at a party, ask how the person knows the host. Any of these other topics is perfect for creating a simple one-liner that opens the conversation:
Research shows that people who ask more questions, especially follow-up questions, are perceived as more likable and responsive by their conversation partners. Curiosity increases our flexibility, making us more adaptable to challenges and better able to regulate emotions.
Being on the short side, I always watch for a tall person walking down the grocery aisle I’m in. For some reason, whatever I want is always on the top shelf. No one has ever said “No!” to my request for help.
You can ask anything. Walking around a museum, you might ask, “Do you know a good restaurant around here?” or, “What time is it?” or, “Do you know where the Monet exhibit is?” You get the idea.
Advertisement
Asking for help can be an effective way to initiate and strengthen connections with others. It can open the door for reciprocal interactions and create a sense of mutual support and trust. Research from Harvard shows that asking questions, even those related to seeking help, can increase liking and positive impressions.
Yuri A / Shutterstock
Advertisement
Humor is a fun way to introduce yourself to someone new. You can memorize a silly pick-up line like, “Can I buy you a drink, or would you rather have the cash?”
Or, you can talk about something from your environment, wherever you are. At the Natural History Museum, for example, you might say, “Aren’t you glad you’ll never be face-to-face with a wooly mammoth? I sure am!”
Last but not least, keep this very important social fact in mind: almost everyone feels a little lost or nervous about meeting new people.
Advertisement
So, you are probably doing them a favor by taking the bold step to start a conversation. Most people will welcome the opportunity to talk with you and will feel relieved you took the risk to get things started, so they didn’t have to.
Ronnie Ann Ryan is an Intuitive Coach, Past Life Reader, and author of six books. She’s the creator of the free audio course How to Ask the Universe for a Sign and Get an Answer Within 24 Hours and the host of the popular metaphysical podcast Breathe Love & Magic. She’s been published on ABC, BBC, and NPR.
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.