Article: Smiles are the universal sign of acceptance and tend to be contagious.  Joking is very important in social circles.  Smiling and laughing is a universal trait among all people, regardless of their interests.  Humor hasn't just been proven to make oneself feel good, it has also been shown to spark positive feelings in others.  People prefer others who make them feel good.  Using self-deprecating humor is a great way of showing others that you don't take yourself so seriously.  Say things like, "I'm so stupid, I tried to do my own hair this morning and I ended up looking like Cruella Deville."  Being able to laugh at yourself puts others at ease with themselves. Try to avoid humor that mocks or disparages others unless it is done in a playful atmosphere.  Playing "the dozens" with your friends can sometimes be a bonding experience so long as the focus is on humor and not on hurting feelings.  Avoid playing insult-based games with peers whom you are not very familiar with, as this can come off as plain rude and offensive. Saying flattering things to people tends to make them like you more.  Make sure that your compliments are genuine.  Saying random, insincere compliments can actually have an opposite effect and make people feel insulted.  For example, instead of saying something generic like, "Hey Deb, you're hair is so beautiful," try saying, "Hey Deb, I really love how soft and healthy your hair looks.  You have no split ends!" Avoid over-complimenting a person.  This is similar to being insincere in that it can make a person feel as though you are complimenting for shallow reasons. It's okay to talk about yourself once in a while, but for the most part, people love when others make them the center of attention.  This is different than putting people on the spot in public.  Don't randomly shine the spotlight on members of your group in front of others, as this could be embarrassing or insulting to quieter individuals.  Instead, shift discussion to the other person when talking or interacting exclusively. Saying empathetic statements is a good way to shift focus onto others.  Saying things like, "I understand how you feel," or "So you liked the concert last night?" are good conversation prompts to get others talking about themselves.  Pepper in some personal info and opinions in between empathetic statements.  This helps establish similarity and shows the other person you are actually listening. These are all reassuring behaviors that make others feel comfortable in your presence.  Nodding is another behavior that others tend to imitate.  Studies have shown that nodding while listening to something makes you more likely to agree with it.  If you nod while you talk to others, chances are they will nod back and agree with what you are saying. Repeat words back in paraphrases, not word-for-word.  Paraphrasing what others have just told you shows that you are actively listening to them, but repeating things word-for-word can come off like "parroting" and can insult the other person.  Names are central to our identity, and hearing our names makes us feel validated as people.  As a result, people are more likely to like you for saying their names. You will often have differing views on certain issues, but there are proper ways to convey your disagreement.  Saying someone is wrong is often unnecessary and can be deeply insulting.  Instead of saying "James, you are wrong for favoring capital punishment," ask "Why do you believe in capital punishment?"  Listen to what they have to say, then seek to understand why they feel that way.  Ask, "Why do you believe that?  Why do you feel it's right?"  Identify a common ground you share with them and then use that as a starting point to explain your position.  For example: "I hate crime too, and I think punishments are warranted, but..." This is known as the "Ransberger Pivot," and it works because it increases the chances of persuading others by sharing common ground first.  Instead of flat-out disagreeing, you can correct others without them losing face. Now that you have gained acceptance by your peers, define yourself in a way that is unique but still in line with your group's identity.  Just because you want to fit in doesn't mean you can't excel.  If you're the starting point guard on the junior varsity basketball team, wear your letterman jacket with pride.  People are drawn to others who are talented but humble.  Show pride but don't be cocky. Being different is just as natural as wanting to fit in.  Trying to satisfy one by ignoring the other will most likely have bad consequences, so find a good balance for yourself.  Embrace what makes you different as well as what makes you similar.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Tell jokes and smile a lot. Give sincere compliments to members in your group. Keep the focus on the members of the group. Nod, repeat words back, and use others' names frequently. Disagree politely, but don't tell others they are wrong. Stand out.