The seat mate chat

[Forg]

I’ve stabbed every person on every form of public-transport who’s ever tried to talk to me.
Works a treat, shuts ‘em up (or at least the screaming/gurgling is better than a conversation).

 

[Zulaiha]

I always grab an isle seat so when I am getting settled in on an ultra long haul like Mel>Lax I'll always greet my window seatmate with a little chat like: "This is a really long flight. If you need to get up don't worry. Just ask and I'll get out of your way. If you need to wake me up, that's okay. I will not annoy you with any more chat. Have a good flight." Does anyone else do anything like this? p.s. I'm normally in Y+ or J.

That is very kind. I love window seat and I don't use much of toilet during my flights but nice to know that there is passenger(s) that is kind hearted like you sir!

 

[Anna]

I've had some bad experiences when succumbing to conversation with people sitting next to me on planes. They always seem to want to tell me some terrible, sad story about how they're travelling because someone in their family has died, and they're either en route to the funeral or on the way back home after it, or they're now able to travel after years of not being able to because of the now-deceased person who they miss dreadfully, and it's always just too depressing.

OTOH I'm not a great fan of the person who gets my attention, says hello but literally nothing more and then deliberately puts their headphones on while they still have my attention. It feels quite rude, like they're basically saying "here, watch me put my headphones on and take the hint dumbnuts". Either get my attention and have a (short, pleasant) conversation, or please just don't bother. Don't worry, I don't want to get stuck talking to you the whole flight either

 

[mtbsafari]

I find headphones at first opportunity downright rude. Does anyone really need to be that isolated from the World. It's as bad as those people who insist on texting wildly until the plane starts rolling down the tarmac. Ignoring everyone around them. Really? Are you that important?

My two cents - In all cases, a polite hello and recognition of those around you is the least you can do. Hold off on using your headphones until the safety briefing is done and the plane is in the air.

 

[pauly7]

In BA club world you have no option but to talk... well at least until cruise altitude has been reached! Unless you feign sleep or put own headphones on.... you literally are staring into each other’s eyes it’s so awkward lol

 

[wombatpatties]

D747, It's great to read your remarks.
I am happy to be asked to move, as I rarely sleep on long haul.
My experiences have always been interesting, and my last flight to the UK in economy, got talking to a lady who was actually going to a funeral!!, and for the stop-over she kindly asked if I would accompany her to Business class lounge for lunch.
Well, did I need to think about an answer? ........yes please!
Enjoyed a scrumptious lunch. Then waiting in the packed lounge the awful sight of a man doing a nose root canal pick then rolling the offending matter into balls, and putting them onto the carpet!!
She was horrified to say the least and apologised to me profusely. I even got an invite for a tipple at the winery she owned in Victoria. We said our goodbyes at Heathrow and I now have to find that winery!

 

[Bad Seed]

I've had some bad experiences when succumbing to conversation with people sitting next to me on planes. They always seem to want to tell me some terrible, sad story about how they're travelling because someone in their family has died, and they're either en route to the funeral or on the way back home after it, or they're now able to travel after years of not being able to because of the now-deceased person who they miss dreadfully, and it's always just too depressing.

r

This makes me a bit sad! I work in pastoral care and I also train pastoral carers and one of the articles I use is about how someone was flying to their parent's funeral and the conversation they had with their generous seat mate in a time of huge grief made such a difference to their life. Another article I use is how a conversation with a stranger, in this case a good Samaritan who held the hand of a trapped person for several hours during the Christchurch earthquake made such a difference to that person's ability to recover afterwards.

Yes, we don't want to spend hours having our ears chewed off but sometimes we don't know how a little word of kindness can make such a difference

 

[flying_duck]

I think long haul, the person beside you could be coming off another long haul or had a hell of a day already, so I keep it to a quick acknowledgement and try not to bother them too much during the flight (window seater)...

Short haul, take your cue from them, I've had some wonderfully silent flights and unexpectedly productive ones (like meeting an important CEO I still keep in contact with)... It's all about reading people and if you're not the type to be able to do that, then a nod and being quiet is the best bet.

 

[clipped_wings]

True Story:

Heading home after a particularly manic week in Hawaii (1980's) dressing booths for a trade show. Settling into my seat on a Continental DC-10 (next to the gloriously convenient on board bar). I'd already pushed back a few scotches at the terminal and cheekily greeted my seatmate with a cringe-worthy intro:

"Tell me about yourself.......... Are you circumcised?"

Thus began an 8 hour conversation on the merits and er, shortcomings (sorry) of this polarising debate. Turns out the guy was a passionate advocate of Camp For, while others joined the chat to champion their own judgement as Camp Against. It actually turned out to be a thoroughly fun flight with intense discussion and lots of laughter.