3 Ways To Be More Approachable

Sometimes it can be hard to make friends or feel confident in social situations. A large majority of people suffer from some form of social anxiety or social awkwardness in large groups.

The first step towards improving your social skills and confidence is to become more approachable to other people. Here are three ways you can be more approachable:

Body Language

Adopt an open posture. Stand or sit up straight, with your shoulders square and your head upright.

Genuinely smile at others to make yourself appear open to conversation. If you’re struggling to smile, think of a happy memory, or a funny joke, to trigger a genuine smile.

Don’t cross your arms in front of your chest, or you will look closed off from others, and make sure you’re not slumped forward.

Put Away Your Cell Phone

Keep your phone out of sight.

Spending your time looking at your phone in a social situation may be viewed as incredibly rude. It means that people will be unlikely to approach or talk to you, for fear of interrupting.

You could also be missing out on glances, smiles, and other cues that could otherwise lead to a conversation.

Develop Conversation Skills

Nothing ends a conversation quicker than bland one-word answers to questions. When you’re asked about yourself, give detailed and interesting answers.

It’s also important to take an interest in others, and ask them questions about themselves, in order to keep the conversation going.

A good rule of thumb is that you should spend more time listening, than talking.