# Do you chat to the stranger next to you on a plane ? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 22, 2011, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-chat-to-the-stranger-next-to-you-on-a-plane/600442 "2011-10-22T13:20:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![studmuffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@studmuffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/studmuffin)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-chat-to-the-stranger-next-to-you-on-a-plane/600442/1 "2011-10-22T13:20:11Z")
Or completely ignore them for 8 hours ? I’m afraid I’m the latter, I’m not proud of it, but it’s for the best. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Foggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foggy/32/1082_2.png) [@Foggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foggy)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-chat-to-the-stranger-next-to-you-on-a-plane/600442/2 "2011-10-22T13:32:01Z")
I haven’t been on a plane in over 10 years but to answer the question, no I do not generally talk to to the person next to me whether I’m on a plane, train, or a bus. And it is for the best. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-chat-to-the-stranger-next-to-you-on-a-plane/600442/3 "2011-10-22T13:48:32Z")
No. I rarely strike up a conversation with strangers; though I often don’t mind if they strike one up with me. (Unless they’re total nutters.) Anyway, sitting in a passenger cabin next to a window too low to look out to see what’s out there is dull. I usually fall asleep fairly quickly. ---
**Author:** ![Capitaine\_Zombie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@Capitaine\_Zombie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capitaine_Zombie)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-chat-to-the-stranger-next-to-you-on-a-plane/600442/4 "2011-10-22T13:53:19Z")
> [@studmuffin](#): > > Do you chat to the stranger next to you on a plane ? Only if I’m part of a complicated conspiracy that involves taking some of his relatives as hostages so that he can provide me access to a restricted area. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-chat-to-the-stranger-next-to-you-on-a-plane/600442/5 "2011-10-22T13:54:44Z")
no, never. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-chat-to-the-stranger-next-to-you-on-a-plane/600442/6 "2011-10-22T14:15:30Z")
Depends on the stranger. [This guy](http://images.wikia.com/soundboardprankcalls/images/3/35/Crazy_old_man.jpg), I’d bet he’s interesting in some sort of entertaining way. We could at least compare beards. [This guy](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3490/3791093300_2a6012135c.jpg), probably not. I might even request a different seat. [This woman](http://www.jakefinnegan.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Brooklyn-Decker-10.jpg), hell yes. [This woman](http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumblarge_393/1240862390A5RtZG.jpg), not so much. However [this woman](http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/102804/102804,1238892084,1/stock-photo-crazy-woman-wearing-a-metal-colander-for-a-helmet-27936461.jpg), definitely yes. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-chat-to-the-stranger-next-to-you-on-a-plane/600442/7 "2011-10-22T14:16:24Z")
Never. And if they initiate, I’ll pretend to not hear them then find my headphones and put them on/in. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-chat-to-the-stranger-next-to-you-on-a-plane/600442/8 "2011-10-22T14:21:59Z")
Yeah I usually say something. Often that’s all the conversation that happens but sometimes I meet someone as chatty as me. But I talk to strangers anywhere, often in the line at the checkout at the supermarket. Most people are happy to talk. ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-chat-to-the-stranger-next-to-you-on-a-plane/600442/9 "2011-10-22T14:25:08Z")
No, I hate making small talk with strangers, and being in a situation where you’re captive for hours makes it so much worse than passing pleasantries. I would really prefer to just be left alone. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-chat-to-the-stranger-next-to-you-on-a-plane/600442/10 "2011-10-22T14:30:11Z")
There have been a time or two when, while traveling alone, conversation was struck between me and my neighbor (I think they probably initiated, since I’m a little shy, but I don’t recall) . . . one was a soldier on his way to/from Germany, and the other I don’t remember what we talked about. I don’t mind it. I like people and conversation. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-chat-to-the-stranger-next-to-you-on-a-plane/600442/11 "2011-10-22T15:00:54Z")
One time I talked with the woman next to me. She had some kind of puzzle or something, and we were talking about it. Mostly no, though. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-chat-to-the-stranger-next-to-you-on-a-plane/600442/12 "2011-10-22T15:13:50Z")
No way. I watch the movies they have on the headrest TV consoles. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-chat-to-the-stranger-next-to-you-on-a-plane/600442/13 "2011-10-22T15:22:42Z")
Sometimes. I notice that depending on the way I’m dressed and groomed people may or may not wish to talk to me. If I sense they are making their choice to communicate based on my appearance, I’d rather not talk to them. One time a woman was quite eager to talk to me, and wanted to start a discussion about Tarot readings and psychic ability, so I politely declined. I always carry a book or two with me, so I can just stay busy with that if the situation is not right. I notice if someone orders a drink, they’re more likely to be sociable and non-judgemental (during the flight, who knows what they are really like). ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-chat-to-the-stranger-next-to-you-on-a-plane/600442/14 "2011-10-22T15:25:17Z")
Nope, I generally just keep to myself. If someone strikes up a conversation, I won’t ignore them but more often than not, I’d prefer to not talk at all with the people next to me. ---
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-chat-to-the-stranger-next-to-you-on-a-plane/600442/15 "2011-10-22T15:26:05Z")
I sometimes start a conversation at the end of the flight… there’s a built-in 30 minutes time limit. And you can always disengage when it gets bumpy and noisy on the way down. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-chat-to-the-stranger-next-to-you-on-a-plane/600442/16 "2011-10-22T15:35:37Z")
It is rude to ignore another person. I always say hello to the person next to me. They are almost always rude in return. I for one blame the parents. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-chat-to-the-stranger-next-to-you-on-a-plane/600442/17 "2011-10-22T15:59:00Z")
I often do. Sort of leave the option open and see how it goes. You can always pull out a book or put on headphones if it doesn’t work out. But then, I usually fly first class, so maybe the parameters are different. We 1-percenters like to stick together, and we may need to form bonds of solidarity if the protestors get too rowdy. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-chat-to-the-stranger-next-to-you-on-a-plane/600442/18 "2011-10-22T16:02:03Z")
There was a stranger next to me? I didn’t notice. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-chat-to-the-stranger-next-to-you-on-a-plane/600442/19 "2011-10-22T16:05:18Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > There was a stranger next to me? I didn’t notice. Anyway, that’s your story and you’re sticking to it? ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-chat-to-the-stranger-next-to-you-on-a-plane/600442/20 "2011-10-22T16:06:29Z")
No. I don’t mind a minor exchange of pleasantries at the beginning of the flight, but I would never initiate one. If the pleasantries don’t stop in a timely manner, and picking up a book doesn’t dissuade my seatmate, I would feign sleep to avoid talking. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-chat-to-the-stranger-next-to-you-on-a-plane/600442.md?page=2)