For me even if there is an empty middle between me and the other pax we never talk and at least for me I consider it because of shyness. Why bother striking up a conversation with someone you will likely never see again? I have only flown domestic so flights are only a few hours anyway, I know my first long haul international I would expect some conversation. When riding public transit I am too busy watching and listening for my stop to pay attention to anyone else.
I don't have a problem with middle seats themselves. If the aisle and window were empty I would have no problem sitting in the middle seat. I just don't like having my elbows or elbows of strangers up in my side. Particularly if my seat mate is rather large as a weightlifter I have bulky shoulders as it is so getting up close and personal with another large individual is not comfortable, an attractive female on the other hand I have no problem with. ^
Haha how is this for a middle seat mental image? Picture in your mind a "customer of size" sitting in a middle seat. FA's had to grease up the arm rests to squeeze him in there. Fat folds muffin topping over the arm rests. Gut so big the tray table won't come down. Horrifying.
