Humans are social beings. We crave interaction because it’s a synonym of well-being, entertainment, and support, and while there are naturally sociable people, most of us have difficulty starting conversations, talking in public, and making new friends. The good news is that there are a few psychological tricks you can learn to attract people around you and be the center of attention, like matching body language, wear red clothes, or even chewing gum.

Bright Side selected a few of them that you can try out:

1. Match body language

If you are looking to impress, get attention, or gain respect, observe the body language of the person you are talking to and try to imitate it. Research proves that this behavior will show comfort, reinforce trust, and help build a rapport between you and the person you are talking to.

2. Talk with palms up

There’re a few body languages you can use to attract people, but not everyone knows this trick. When we talk with our palms up, it shows trustworthiness and honesty.

3. Practice power posing

The power pose can trick your brain into thinking you have confidence, even if you’re not feeling it. Just before a big meeting, go to a mirror and imagine you are a superhero: put your hands on your hips, head up, straighten your posture, and put a big smile on your face.

4. Give compliments

It’s important to let someone know if they are being kind, smart, or looking pretty — not only to be polite but because what you say about other people influences what they think about you.

5. Chew gum if you are nervous

It’s normal to feel anxious and nervous before a big event with a lot of people to impress, but if you think these feelings are shaking your confidence, try chewing gum. This trick will distract you from the stress and will also increase blood flow to the brain.

6. Talk about personal things

Try to ask questions like, “What’s your favorite food?” or “What was your favorite trip?” for example. When you get personal, it’s more likely to build trust and friendship.

7. Go on adrenaline dates

People who laugh together, stay together. So if you want to make friends or if you want to make a good first impression, try engaging in a funny conversation. This trick will make them feel even closer to you.

8. Wear red to get attention

If you want to stand out in a crowd and have all eyes on you, start including red clothes in your wardrobe. Studies found that this is a great tool to grab attention, especially in an emotional context.

9. Don’t be afraid of touching

The secret here is to differentiate between an awkward and a powerful touch. Try gentle touches on the arm or on the shoulder to increase intimacy and to show that you care about that person.

10. Focus on a memorable last impression

Making a good first impression is fine, but making a memorable last one is even more important. Remember this trick if you’re giving a speech, putting together a presentation, or just introducing yourself for the first time. If you make a memorable last impression, it’s more likely that they will remember you and look for you in the future.

11. Make eye-contact by looking at the middle of their forehead

Looking into other people’s eyes is important because it shows sincerity and integrity while communicating, but some people find it very uncomfortable to accomplish this, mainly because of shyness. If this is the case with you, start practicing looking in the middle of their forehead to pretend to make eye-contact.

Have you ever tried any of these tricks? How did they work? Let us know!

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