Are you a talker on planes?

[RooFlyer]

I've been meaning to post this for a while, but this post

I was once sitting next to a passenger who couldn't stop talking no matter how many hints I gave that I wasn't in the mood. I noticed some empty seats so I moved. He then complained to the FA about me!

and another recent experience recently prompted me.

Do you like chatting to your neighbour - known or unknown - on flights, particularly longer ones? On a recent overseas flight with me in 1C on B737, the guy in 1D didn't stop talking to his seat mate for an entire 4 hour trip. Just on and on and on, even during the meal. Now, nothing wrong with that - he wasn't particularly loud - but I have had long haul marathon talkers near me whose volume could have gone down by half.

I can't imaging filling up 4+hours with continuous talk and I certainly wouldn't put up with unsolicited chat from a neighbour if I wasn't interested.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Don't want to talk? Put on headphones.

Personally, I enjoy a chinwag because you never know who is next to you.
Start with a fun, lighthearted mutual comment before takeoff.

"I hear they serve the premium bubbles once we're in the air".
or
"F- me, these seats are worse than air asia... or maybe im getting fat"

Planes + Airports + Hotels are the ultimate networking venues.
I've made a small fortune with this exact formula.

 

[RooFlyer]

Don't want to talk? Put on headphones.

Well, no. That's what I mean about incessant talkers - often they just like the sound of their own voices and seem oblivious to the fact that the subject being talked at doesn't really want to be talked at. If they do - talk away!

The talker should take the hint of a disinterested object of talk such as, no reciprocity or their fixation on the seatback in front, or out the window. If those hints aren't taken, before I feel the need to put on headphones when I don't need to, I'd simply say 'I'm sorry, I don't wish to be disturbed' and turn the other way. If they still talked at me, I'd press the call bell and pointedly ask if I can be moved.

Planes + Airports + Hotels are the ultimate networking venues.

Sure - if both parties are amenable. If not, its just a nuisance.

 

[AuSammy]

I posted this in a different thread recently


I’m not a very social person and I feel no need whatsoever to converse with a total stranger passenger in the seat next to me no matter the length of the flight. If they initiate then i will exchange niceties but that’s it. Can’t stand inane chatter.

Other people’s personalities MMV.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

...

Sure - if both parties are amenable. If not, its just a nuisance.

I won't talk if the other person has no interest, which you can gauge within the first 15 seconds.
Some people don't know how to read the room though, sadly (like those you encounter).

 

[Major]

I am not a talker. I am quite happy to spend hours only talking to the FA and not my seat neighbour.

 

[Dmac59]

Happy to exchange pleasantries upon settling in, but after that I just want to chill out.
Read the paper on my iPad or have a snooze

 

[HMcM]

Don't want to talk? Put on headphones.

Agree with this one 100%

I have had some absolutely fantastic conversations over the years with people seated next to me, some on 1 hour flights, some on 18 hour long flights.

As for the "known or unknown" part of things, I have had far longer than 4 hour conversations between me and a couple of mates and I don't see why being on a plane would change our proclivity to chat. I agree that it shouldn't be done loudly, but a "no talking" culture on planes would just be stale and boring, especially in a world where everybody is provided with headphones and entertainment and the majority of people also have their own.

 

[jase05]

I hardly talk to my wife when we fly let to alone strangers. Last nights flight we were separated by about 3 rows too as we both have to have window seats.
I will exchange pleasantries with others and some occasional chatter but not one for long conversations on a plane. I like to put my headphones on and hopefully a privacy door so I can sit in my own little world for a few hours