In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, many of us yearn for fleeting moments of genuine human connection. A recent study published in the Social Psychological and Personality Science journal suggests that we might be overlooking a simple yet profound source of joy: engaging in social interactions with people we encounter in our everyday routine—like the barista at our favorite coffee shop.
The study, conducted at a bustling urban Starbucks, demonstrates that even minimal social interactions, such as chatting with a barista, can significantly boost our sense of happiness and belonging. This study moves beyond traditional research that has primarily focused on interactions with close friends and family, shedding light on the untapped potential of interactions with strangers and weak ties.
Lead researchers Gillian M. Sandstrom and Elizabeth W. Dunn from the University of British Columbia conducted a field experiment involving Starbucks customers.
