Remember when “friend” could only be used as a noun and tweeting was for the birds?

It seems like ages ago, but in the decade since online social networking first emerged, we’ve been given the amazing abilities to connect with friends, family, and people with similar interests all over the world. No longer discouraged by expensive long distance phone bills or impossible time differences, we can keep in touch with faraway family members and get back in touch with long lost friends. But, while we all take advantage of the wonderful possibilities of sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, let’s not forget about the people sitting right next to us and make a little daily small talk.

The casual conversations we have with strangers and acquaintances everyday are a key component of what makes us human. Small talk can be as simple as a “Nice day, huh?”, but it is by no means insignificant. In fact, these small connections we establish with one another open us up to new experiences, friendships, careers, and more. They can even save your life.
But don’t take our word for it; just listen to this powerful story as told by the two amazing women who lived it:

So next time you’re waiting in line at the grocery store or grabbing your morning coffee at your local café, put down the Blackberry, and look at the real person standing right in front of you, take that small step, and say hello.

Linda Kaplan Thaler is the CEO and Chief Creative Officer of The Kaplan Thaler Group and is a featured speaker in the Maximum Impact Simulcast. Her new book, co-authored with Robin Koval is THE POWER OF SMALL: Why Little Things Make All the Difference, available online and in bookstores nationwide.