Originally Posted by
eponymous_coward
Right, but if you are NOT the seatmate being talked to, and two people are talking in your row... how is this different?
People who can see each other tend to be more mindful of the effect conversation has on others in the immediate area. Those on mobile phones go into their own world -- it's as though they no longer inhabit the space, or consider the people, where they are. It's the person on the phone who's more important than what's in their surroundings.
Also, people in the same row (assuming 3-3 configuration) tend to turn to talk to the person they're conversing with, and only use a volume that's appropriate. The same can't be said of phone use.
There are always exceptions, of course.