How to Be Interesting: Develop Your Sense of Humor, Become an Engaging Storyteller, Ask Good Questions, and More

Introduction

You’ve probably heard the phrase “it’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.” Being interesting is all about being able to communicate in a way that captures people’s attention and holds their interest. It’s about being able to engage with other people in a meaningful way and create memorable experiences.

When it comes to being interesting, there are a few key components: having a good sense of humor, being an engaging storyteller, asking good questions, getting out of your comfort zone, and making meaningful connections. In this article, we’ll explore each of these components and provide tips for how to be more interesting.

Develop Your Sense of Humor

Humor is a great way to add levity and lightheartedness to any conversation. Studies have shown that the ability to use humor effectively is associated with higher levels of intelligence, creativity, and self-confidence (Goleman & Kaufman, 2000). In addition, people who can make others laugh tend to be seen as more attractive, competent, and socially skilled (Goleman & Kaufman, 2000).

Here are a few tips for using humor effectively:

• Listen carefully to the other person and use their words or stories as fodder for jokes.
• Don’t take yourself too seriously – be willing to laugh at yourself and poke fun at your own mistakes.
• Be aware of your audience and tailor your jokes accordingly.
• Don’t be afraid to take risks. The best comedians often push boundaries and make people uncomfortable, but they do so in a way that’s still funny.

Become an Engaging Storyteller

Storytelling is a powerful tool for connecting with other people. Stories can be used to illustrate a point, entertain an audience, or just bring people together. Research has shown that stories can help us better understand and remember information, as well as foster empathy and connection (Keller, 2017).

Here are a few tips for telling engaging stories:

• Start with a hook to draw the listener in. This could be a joke, a dramatic statement, or a surprising fact.
• Include vivid details to bring your story to life. Use descriptions to paint a picture of the setting and characters.
• End with a moral or a lesson learned. This will help your story resonate with the listener and give them something to think about.

Ask Good Questions

Asking questions is a great way to show interest in someone else and keep a conversation going. It can also help you learn more about the other person and gain insight into their life and experiences. Studies have shown that people who ask thoughtful questions are seen as more intelligent and likable (Hansen, 2012).

Here are a few tips for asking good questions:

• Listen carefully to what the other person is saying and ask follow-up questions to show interest.
• Avoid yes/no questions and instead ask open-ended questions that require more than a one-word answer.
• Be curious and don’t be afraid to ask challenging questions. This shows that you are engaged and interested in the conversation.

Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

Trying new things can be a great way to challenge yourself and expand your horizons. Studies have shown that taking risks and stepping outside of your comfort zone can lead to increased confidence, improved problem-solving skills, and greater creativity (Lazarus, 2016). Additionally, trying new activities can make you more interesting by giving you unique experiences to share with others.

Here are a few tips for getting out of your comfort zone:

• Start small – pick something that’s slightly outside of your comfort zone but still manageable.
• Look for opportunities to try something new on a regular basis. This could be anything from trying a new restaurant to taking a class to traveling to a new city.
• Share your experiences with others. Talking about new experiences can help you process them and also make you more interesting to others.

Make Connections

Making meaningful connections with other people is an important part of being interesting. Having meaningful conversations with someone is a great way to build a relationship and make a lasting impression. Studies have shown that people who focus on making real connections rather than superficial ones are seen as more likable and trustworthy (Hearn & Puhl, 2018).

Here are a few tips for making meaningful connections:

• Be present and focused when talking to someone. Make eye contact and be attentive to their words and body language.
• Avoid focusing on yourself and instead ask questions to learn more about the other person.
• Make an effort to stay in touch with people you meet. Follow up after conversations or send a friendly message every once in a while.

Conclusion

Being interesting isn’t just about saying the right things, it’s about developing a set of skills that will help you engage with others in meaningful ways. To be more interesting, you need to have a good sense of humor, be an engaging storyteller, ask good questions, get out of your comfort zone, and make meaningful connections.