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Do you talk to strangers on the plane?
- Thread starter agkm800
- Start date
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No, I usually don't. I have headphones in from the second they tell you you can use electronics until the second they tell you to turn them off.
benthewraith
macrumors 68040
abijnk
macrumors 68040
I do if they seem willing to and aren't trying to snooze or whatnot. It's such a neat place to talk to people. Everyone on a plane is on some type of journey.
Growing up my dad lived on the East coast and I was in the midwest with my mom. I flew alone at least twice a year and when I got into high school I finally had the guts to talk to people on the plane instead of just smiling politely. It was so great! The funnest person I met was a photographer from National Geographic who showed me the shoots he was currently tasked with and talked about all the places he had been. Then there was this one lady who was on her way to her son's college graduation and gave some really awful relationship advice. She was funny. And on time I sat next to this lady and her daughter and we had both lived in this tiny town called Nauvoo, IL at different points, so we had a lot to talk about.
People are interesting, and flights are great places to find out little tidbits of information that can be absolutely fascinating. 🙂
Growing up my dad lived on the East coast and I was in the midwest with my mom. I flew alone at least twice a year and when I got into high school I finally had the guts to talk to people on the plane instead of just smiling politely. It was so great! The funnest person I met was a photographer from National Geographic who showed me the shoots he was currently tasked with and talked about all the places he had been. Then there was this one lady who was on her way to her son's college graduation and gave some really awful relationship advice. She was funny. And on time I sat next to this lady and her daughter and we had both lived in this tiny town called Nauvoo, IL at different points, so we had a lot to talk about.
People are interesting, and flights are great places to find out little tidbits of information that can be absolutely fascinating. 🙂
iBlue
macrumors Core
Sometimes. Depends on the mutual body language, etc.. I had one particularly nice "Single-Serving Friend" on a flight from L.A. to Seattle but other that unusual instance of having great repartee, I tend to tune other people out. ("S-SF" gave me his card and I lost it. No really.) If I'm not up for conversation and my body language and disinterested one word answers doesn't give it away I am quite content to politely say I'm not feeling up for a chat. I'm not that friendly with strangers, especially stinky annoying, armrest hogging ones I have to sit in such close proximity to.
Mac'nCheese
Suspended
GoCubsGo
macrumors Nehalem
I have, made a late night flight home from CA to NC go quickly but there were moments when I just wanted to relax. I tend to get very hyped up before getting on a plane. Once we take off that adrenaline goes away and I get tired. Plus I've usually had a drink or two before flying so that kicks in. A 20 minute nap usually keeps me up the rest of the flight.
People generally avoid talking to me. I'm that one you don't really want to sit by on planes so the most interaction I have is the eye contact and the worried look on their faces that the seat next to me is theirs. 🙂
People generally avoid talking to me. I'm that one you don't really want to sit by on planes so the most interaction I have is the eye contact and the worried look on their faces that the seat next to me is theirs. 🙂
whooleytoo
macrumors 604
More often than not, I don't initiate a conversation; but usually am quite happy to have a conversation with just about anyone.
And there's NOTHING better than asking a girl out when taking off in Europe, crashing and burning (metaphorically!) and knowing you're going to be spending the next 13 hours next to her..😛
And there's NOTHING better than asking a girl out when taking off in Europe, crashing and burning (metaphorically!) and knowing you're going to be spending the next 13 hours next to her..😛
iBlue
macrumors Core
Judging a book by its cover says a lot more about them than it does about you. I'd flip through your pages any time! 😀
whooleytoo
macrumors 604
I got talking to a guy sitting next to me one time. Nerdy looking guy, slim, with thinning gray hair, glasses. He asked me how I liked my iPhone - I said it's ok, but what they really need to do is make it bigger, about 9 inches maybe. It would sell millions.
He went very quiet, then disappeared off to make some phone calls. I wonder what ever happened to him...
He went very quiet, then disappeared off to make some phone calls. I wonder what ever happened to him...
It always seems that the people next to me either want to be left alone based on their body language (headphones, reading books, etc) or I don't want to talk to them (because they are angry, drunk, rude).
However, I have talked to a few interesting people from time to time. Once I was next to a stunningly beautiful blond woman who sat down crying--a little awkward so I didn't say anything. She apologized and then started talking about her man and that they were probably going to break up, etc etc. She was nice.
However, I have talked to a few interesting people from time to time. Once I was next to a stunningly beautiful blond woman who sat down crying--a little awkward so I didn't say anything. She apologized and then started talking about her man and that they were probably going to break up, etc etc. She was nice.
velocityg4
macrumors 604
Sometimes if they seem friendly enough or if its an attractive woman (unless I find out they are not single or don't seem interested in chatting). Otherwise I'll just read a book or watch a movie.
Abyssgh0st
macrumors 68000
I tend to stereotype and talk to them if:
-They are attractive (female, preferably)
-We're around the same age
-We share some blatant common interest (both have Kindles, iPads, Mac, etc)
-They are attractive (female, preferably)
-We're around the same age
-We share some blatant common interest (both have Kindles, iPads, Mac, etc)
Surely
Guest
I usually say hello and smile when I sit down, but I don't force a conversation. If they want to talk, and I haven't put my headphones on yet, I'll chat with them for a little while.
If I don't really feel like talking to them (I just want to sleep/relax) but they won't stop, I usually excuse myself to the bathroom and make sure that my headphones are in before I get back.
On a flight last year from Toronto to LA, I sat next to an especially chatty guy with halitosis. That wasn't fun. No matter what I did, which included listening to my iPhone and watching movies on the personal seatback screen, he tried talking to me (including asking me if I'm enjoying the movie and if he should watch it too). I think he was just excited because it was rare for him to fly, and it was his first time to LA.
If I don't really feel like talking to them (I just want to sleep/relax) but they won't stop, I usually excuse myself to the bathroom and make sure that my headphones are in before I get back.
On a flight last year from Toronto to LA, I sat next to an especially chatty guy with halitosis. That wasn't fun. No matter what I did, which included listening to my iPhone and watching movies on the personal seatback screen, he tried talking to me (including asking me if I'm enjoying the movie and if he should watch it too). I think he was just excited because it was rare for him to fly, and it was his first time to LA.
pilotError
macrumors 68020
I typically avoid it, but most of the time I have the family along anyway.
Before I was married, I had a business trip from NY to LA and found myself sitting next to chatty Kathy. We were boarding the plane, and she already was engaging everyone around her. I popped my headphones on and avoided contact, although she tried very hard to get my attention. She was hot! Seriously hot, but I couldn't take the constant talking. She was turned around the entire 6 1/2 hour flight talking to the folks seated behind us.
They never seemed so happy as when they got off the plane. The girl managed to get me in the end though. When they make you turn off the electronics. Everyone around me laughed, so I guess it was obvious I was trying to avoid her. She wanted to actually go get coffee afterward and offered me a ride to the hotel.
Talk about Clingy! I managed to duck her at the baggage carousel and headed for the rental counter.
Thank God for in-flight beverages!
What is it with California Girls anyway? All that sun makes em crazy! LOL
Before I was married, I had a business trip from NY to LA and found myself sitting next to chatty Kathy. We were boarding the plane, and she already was engaging everyone around her. I popped my headphones on and avoided contact, although she tried very hard to get my attention. She was hot! Seriously hot, but I couldn't take the constant talking. She was turned around the entire 6 1/2 hour flight talking to the folks seated behind us.
They never seemed so happy as when they got off the plane. The girl managed to get me in the end though. When they make you turn off the electronics. Everyone around me laughed, so I guess it was obvious I was trying to avoid her. She wanted to actually go get coffee afterward and offered me a ride to the hotel.
Talk about Clingy! I managed to duck her at the baggage carousel and headed for the rental counter.
Thank God for in-flight beverages!
What is it with California Girls anyway? All that sun makes em crazy! LOL