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From KQED.

Music very from kQED from kQED in san franciscoe i'mina kim up on forum, you see them regularly and give a smile or nod or have a quick chat.

They're the barista at the coffee shop, the parent in the school pickup line, or the supermarket checkout person.

That loose network of acquaintances or even familiar strangers is more important than you might think.

Research has consistently shown they improve our well-being. So at a time when more Americans

are feeling lonely and isolated, we take a closer look at the power of the casual acquaintance

and even the value they provide that some close friendships may not. Join us.

I'm Mina Kim. Welcome to Forum. In a world where it's become harder to have intimate friendships, it might be comforting to know that you can get a lot from interacting with acquaintances.

Surgeon General of Vivek Murthy has been sounding the alarm for some time about our nation's loneliness epidemic,

and for good reason, it can profoundly affect our mental and physical health.

But don't discount the power of interacting with the waiter who knows your usual, the person

you see regularly at the dog park, or even just nod and smile at on the morning bus or

...