Think of the parents you see in the drop-off zone at your kid’s school, your favourite waiter, and other dog owners at the park. Sociologists(社会学家) call these     1     “weak ties”. Not only can these connections affect our career development, but they can also have a positive     2     on our well-being.

Maintaining a network of acquaintances(熟人) can help you feel more connected. The desire to belong and to form social circles is a     3     human need, alongside food, sleep and safety. But once we hit 25, the number of friends we have     4     and becomes smaller over time, according to a 2016 study. As we get older and what we care about shifts from after-work bowling leagues to after-school pickup,     5     a busy social life becomes less important. Staying     6     related, then, is essential to personal fulfilment.

Besides, having at least a few acquaintances can connect us with a larger circle of people, which is     7     news, for example, for job hunters. Even if our friends want to help us find a job, weak ties are often the ones who     8     the job-search playing field.

Those acquaintances also     9     us with a wider world view. Regularly interacting with people who have different experiences than we do allows us to be more considerate towards others. This, in turn, builds empathy(共情能力).

Still, casual friends have a lot to offer. Uncovering surprising news about the regular players in one’s life—     10     that your neighbour is a famous dancer, for instance-can spice up your day.