When meeting someone new, try skirting the small talk and digging a little deeper

FEATURE (THE CONVERSATION)— Even as the COVID-19 pandemic persists, there’s hope that life will return to some level of normalcy in 2022. This includes more opportunities to meet new people and build friendships, a process that’s critical for mental and physical well-being. This does not, however, mean that everyone will take advantage of these new chances to connect. […]