<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Seat 2A:
[...] although I enjoy talking with people I generally let my seatmate make the first move. I realize that many people are worried about the nonstop talker and may not want to initiate conversation. I've had some great conversations with seatmates on flights but at the same time, I've quite enjoyed those occasions where little is said and I get a couple hundred pages read or some sleep. I'm easy on this. I'm never too busy to chat but I'll always let my seatmate make the first move.</font>
Seat 2A, we're much alike regarding this...
In general, I let my seatmate's demeanor indicate to me whether conversation is welcome, let alone whether their comfort level will "allow" them to initiate it. Some people welcome conversation, but are shy about initiating it w/ a stranger. I'm pretty good @ "reading" people, so I observe & then go w/ instinct...that is, if I'm not hellbent on reading or otherwise keeping to myself for a given flight--in those cases, I hope that I'm emanating "I prefer to occupy myself w/ this activity...thank you for respecting my privacy" vibes.
Interestingly enough, it is @ times the book that I'm reading which results in my seatmate initiating conversation w/ me...sometimes it's the title...sometimes they glance over, happen to read some, & then are curious...
I've even had people sitting near me while waiting @ the gate ask about a book that I'm reading...
Some seatmates have become friends...one became a kind of "adopted" grandmother...one I bump into in one of a few different airports every now & then, & had we never spoken during our initial flight, I wouldn't have the pleasure of the subsequent conversations we've had...
When deplaning some time ago, & engaged in conversation w/ my seatmate, the person greeting me @ the gate joked about my having made yet another friend...
In the end, I suppose I (& I'm sure many others) utilize a flexible approach to the conversation-w/-seatmate reality...it depends on circumstance (including flight distance & time of departure), & the people involved...