Be Generally Enthusiastic, 20 Secrets to Getting People to Like You

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People prefer being happy to being sad, so they naturally gravitate toward people who point out the good things about life. Instead of complaining about the weather (often a go-to topic of conversation between people who don't know each other well), mention how great it is that the dry spell is over.

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There's a reason Jennifer Lawrence is the most well-liked woman of Hollywood: She exposes her flaws. We love her not because she won an Oscar, but because she tripped on her way up to accepting it.

Likewise, you need to drop the facade if you want to get people to like you. Reveal something embarrassing or funny about yourself, and people are more likely to trust you.

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Now is not the time to rely on your second-grade instinct of teasing someone or playing hard to convey your affection. If you want someone to like you, act like you like that person. In one study, when participants were told that someone either liked them or didn't like them after two participants had a 10-minute conversation, it affected how much they liked that person by almost 50 percent. When someone thinks you like them, it automatically raises their esteem for you.

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What do you do when you're bored? Tap your foot, crack your knuckles or play with your hair, right? These universal signs of boredom are things to avoid when meeting new people, since they're also typical habits when you're nervous. Fidgeting makes people think you're bored, lying or anxious -- all bad vibes to send when you're trying to get someone to like you.

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Meeting new people can be anxiety-inducing, no doubt about it. But pretending that person is an old friend will not only put you at ease, it also creates a quick bond. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy -- if you act like you've liked someone for years, you'll start to actually like them.

Everyone wants to be liked. From the day we start school to the day we enter the workforce, we yearn for approval. Even the most cynical types secretly care about how they are received. If you don't believe that, science backs it up. Psychologist Abraham Maslow points out that humans are social creatures; we need each other to survive. As a result, the need to feel love and belonging are programmed into our DNA.

Feeling accepted and having people like you is the first step to making friends, and research shows that friendship is crucial to living a long, healthy life. In one study, researchers found that being socially isolated is as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

In a time when much of our social interaction takes place behind screens, it can be exhausting to figure out how to turn on the charm. But with just a few simple tweaks, you can win people over instantly -- and, since studies show that those with meaningful friendships have a 50 percent higher chance of survival than those without, these tips could add years to your life. Here, the secrets to getting people to like you.

20 Secrets to Getting People to Like You

These tiny tweaks are the secrets behind making everyone want to friend you on Facebook and in real life

Be Generally Enthusiastic

Reveal Yourself

Act Like You Like Them

Don't Fidget

Imagine They're an Old Friend

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