How to Make People Like You In 90 Seconds Or Less

Rapport by Chance

Perhaps you have traveled abroad to a country where people don't speak your language and you don't understand theirs. You feel a little uncomfortableeven suspiciouswhen you can't be understood. Then suddenly you meet someone from your own country, maybe your own state. This person speaks your language, and whammo, you have a new best friendfor your vacation at least. You might share experiences, opinions, insights, where to find the best restaurants and bargains. You will doubtless exchange personal information about family and work. All this and much more because you share a language. That's rapport by chance. Maybe your enthusiasm will lead you to continue that friendship after returning home, only to discover that apart from language and location the two of you have nothing in common and the relationship fizzles out all by itself.

This isn't limited to language and geography. Chance encounters happen on almost a daily basis to all of us at work, in the supermarket, at the Laundromat or the bus stop.

The key to establishing rapport with strangers is to learn how to become like them. Fortunately, this is both very simple and a lot of fun to do. It allows you to look on each new encounter as a puzzle, a game, a joy.