

The key is to ask follow-up questions that relate to what the other person says, which shows that you are truly listening and interested. In fact, most of us don't ask enough questions, the researchers concluded. The questioners seemed more caring and understanding.

In both cases, people felt more warmly toward those who asked a lot of questions. In another Harvard study, researchers analyzed people engaged in "get-to-know-you" chats, as well as in face-to-face speed dating conversations. In other words, we tend to think: They were smart to ask for my advice because I am smart. They figured that the person who asked for their advice must be quite clever - in part because it's flattering to be asked for help. Yet when students were paired with a partner that was either neutral or asking them for advice, they had a higher opinion of the advice seeker. But those rated on how good of an impression they made were less than half as likely to ask for help they were afraid they wouldn't look competent.

Unsurprisingly, students rated on their accuracy eagerly asked for advice.
SEXY MINION SAYINGS SERIES
In a series of studies, Harvard and Wharton researchers asked students to solve brain teasers with a partner.
