Strangers on a Plane

I just got back from New York and really enjoyed it (though some think traveling is a waste of time). I had a question though - do you talk to the strangers you sit next to on planes? Do you only respond if they initiate it? Do you prefer to have no contact and simply sleep or read?

Posted by Royce at 9/09/2009 09:16:00 AM
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5 comments:

  1. RoyceSeptember 9, 2009 at 9:45 AM

    Personally I am a no conversation, prefer to read guy. But I feel kind of guilty about not making an effort and wonder if I should. You never know who you might meet or what common interests you may share... right?

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  2. AaronSeptember 9, 2009 at 4:57 PM

    I think headphones are the key. If I am wearing my headphones, usually watching TV on Virgin, it means I prefer not to engage in conversation. If the person sitting next to me is wearing headphones, I will not try to engage them in conversation.

    However, I often have a short conversation with the person sitting next to me while sitting on the tarmac to determine if I will have any conversation for the duration of the flight. I remember teaching a gentleman from Argentina who spoke limited English, how to use the TV and the Virgin media center. He was talking to me about his business schedule and how he was done around noon, but his flight wasn't until 5:00, allowing for many hours in the bar. This came back to hurt me 30 minutes into the flight when he started snoring. My headphones stayed on.

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  3. ScottSeptember 10, 2009 at 9:21 AM

    I prefer to sleep or read (or, on business trips, I'll do work), but would generally do the small talk, chit-chat stuff if initiated by my neighbor. Rarely, however, will I ever extend this to a conversation - close minded, yet I'm OK with this...

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  4. RoyceSeptember 10, 2009 at 11:39 AM

    Do you ever feel bad about not holding a conversation with your neighbor? Cause I'm the same way - I never do it - but I also feel kind of bad about it. Not really sure why.

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  5. ScottSeptember 10, 2009 at 11:52 AM

    I do every once in a while, but I've never been big on talking just cause of convenience - absolutely abhor smalltalk at the start of a meeting, etc.

    I more get frustrated if the person continues on - it's more a "Dooooood - read the non-verbal cues; I don't want to talk with you right now."

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