2. Disclosing something extremely personal early on in a relationship
In general, people like each other more after they’ve traded confidences. Self-disclosure is one of the best ways to make friends as an adult. But psychologists say that disclosing something too intimate — say, that your sister is having an extramarital affair — while you’re still getting to know someone can make you seem insecure and decrease your likability. The key is to get just the right amount of personal. As a 2013 study led by Susan Sprecher at Illinois State University suggests, simply sharing details about your hobbies and your favorite childhood memories can make you seem warmer and more likable.
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