Want More Meaningful, Enjoyable Conversations With Your Family This Holiday Season? Think Like an Anthropologist
What will you talk about with your loved ones when you gather together this holiday season? If you’re like most families, most of the chat around the table will revolve around the kids, work, the weather, or (if you’re brave or well aligned) politics and current events. These conversations can be lovely, of course. But science suggests you could squeeze a lot more joy and connection out of your holiday gatherings.
That’s because research shows that while people fear the intimacy and potential awkwardness of deeper and more meaningful conversations, they actually make us much happier than superficial small talk about sports or the weather.
This science was done in regard to conversations with strangers, but imagine how much more true it is in regard to our nearest and dearest. Humans have a deep need to link the past and present through stories, and nearly all of us are curious about what life was really like for our parents and grandparents back in the day. What kind of people were they growing up? What historical events did they experience? What heartbreaks? What joys?
We all would love to know those who raised us better, but too often we’re shy of initiating these conversations that could bring everyone…
