Do you say "hello" to the person sitting next to you or just stare straight ahead?
Jan 12, 2005 | 6:54 pm
#31
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Addison, IL
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Posts: 29
I greet with a smile and a hello. I'm open to conversation, at least until I'm allowed to use a 'portable electronic device' - laptop. Then it's playtime, usually worktime.
The same goes even when I'm traveling with friends or colleagues.
The same goes even when I'm traveling with friends or colleagues.
Jan 12, 2005 | 7:17 pm
#32
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Orlando, FL, US
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Posts: 3,618
I always say at least hello if the person even acknowledges me. I'd say about 10% of the time, I have had a conversation with a seatmate, usually in FC.
My worst experiences haven't been with my seatmates, but when those behind me strike up a (usually loud) conversation. Some of these have included:
Older guy flirting with 20 something girl, and buying the drinks.
Evangelical trying to convert his seatmate.
Friends travelling together who probably should have been denied boarding for being drunk.
Not a conversation, but a couple who watched a portable DVD player without headphones.
Luckily, I have a decent set of headphones, and can usually drown them out.
My worst experiences haven't been with my seatmates, but when those behind me strike up a (usually loud) conversation. Some of these have included:
Older guy flirting with 20 something girl, and buying the drinks.
Evangelical trying to convert his seatmate.
Friends travelling together who probably should have been denied boarding for being drunk.
Not a conversation, but a couple who watched a portable DVD player without headphones.
Luckily, I have a decent set of headphones, and can usually drown them out.
Jan 12, 2005 | 7:45 pm
#34
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Originally Posted by Analise
That's exactly what I do.
Jan 12, 2005 | 7:49 pm
#35
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Originally Posted by fredmartens
It's usually napping, studying with the earplugs in or watching movies a la laptop while flying for me, so I'm not much of a chatty cathy with seatmates. I will return a greeting in a like manner and engage in polite minimal conversation depending on the subject, but it's usually about productivity while flying at this juncture in my life. Two things that are almost consistent behavior for me: 1, when flying seatmates pound the cocktails and then want to fire up their jibs they get a nada response; 2, I make a point of thanking FA's for everything they do.
Jan 12, 2005 | 7:51 pm
#36
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Originally Posted by jfe
As I am the proverbial "fat man" that sits right next to you, people don't want to talk to me
And I am such a nice fellow
And I am such a nice fellow
Jan 12, 2005 | 7:56 pm
#37
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Location: El Paso, TX, USA
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Originally Posted by RobotDoctor
From one "fat man" to another, I will talk to you. Of course I am just quoting you although I am fat, or shall I say, Solid.
I am but a mere mortal that has been grounded, and if I happen to fly, it will be in coach
But if we ever cross paths, hopefully it won't be in coach in a 3-seat row squishing some poor fellow
Jan 12, 2005 | 8:20 pm
#38
In memoriam
Join Date: Aug 2002
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I usually nod and sort of smile hello, not wanting to appear to be one of those gabby old lady types. I think most people take that as an I-don't-want-to-talk message, but it's just shyness.
I've found in biz people are a more polite, and an initial greeting is pleasant, with a bit of chit chat during the meal.
It seems odd to be sharing an armrest with a stranger and not have a small bit of conversation during meal service. We each have a speaking relationship with the FA, but not each other.
For those of you who have forgotten, you can't hear anything above the engine noise in Y anyway, so conversation is limited.
Or shouted as one traveler did all the way from SFO-BKK to a poor stranger across the aisle. He NEVER shut up, and the other guy only mumbled um, uh, for 8-10 hours or however long that flight is.
I've found in biz people are a more polite, and an initial greeting is pleasant, with a bit of chit chat during the meal.
It seems odd to be sharing an armrest with a stranger and not have a small bit of conversation during meal service. We each have a speaking relationship with the FA, but not each other.
For those of you who have forgotten, you can't hear anything above the engine noise in Y anyway, so conversation is limited.
Or shouted as one traveler did all the way from SFO-BKK to a poor stranger across the aisle. He NEVER shut up, and the other guy only mumbled um, uh, for 8-10 hours or however long that flight is.
Jan 12, 2005 | 10:00 pm
#40
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles, Luxury Hotels, TravelBuzz! and Italy
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 26,996
Originally Posted by lili-dui
I usually nod and sort of smile hello, not wanting to appear to be one of those gabby old lady types. I think most people take that as an I-don't-want-to-talk message, but it's just shyness.
I've found in biz people are a more polite, and an initial greeting is pleasant, with a bit of chit chat during the meal.
It seems odd to be sharing an armrest with a stranger and not have a small bit of conversation during meal service. We each have a speaking relationship with the FA, but not each other.
For those of you who have forgotten, you can't hear anything above the engine noise in Y anyway, so conversation is limited.
Or shouted as one traveler did all the way from SFO-BKK to a poor stranger across the aisle. He NEVER shut up, and the other guy only mumbled um, uh, for 8-10 hours or however long that flight is.
I've found in biz people are a more polite, and an initial greeting is pleasant, with a bit of chit chat during the meal.
It seems odd to be sharing an armrest with a stranger and not have a small bit of conversation during meal service. We each have a speaking relationship with the FA, but not each other.
For those of you who have forgotten, you can't hear anything above the engine noise in Y anyway, so conversation is limited.
Or shouted as one traveler did all the way from SFO-BKK to a poor stranger across the aisle. He NEVER shut up, and the other guy only mumbled um, uh, for 8-10 hours or however long that flight is.
Jan 12, 2005 | 10:07 pm
#41
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Current Micronesian, Ex Buckeye....
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Posts: 2,089
It's only polite to acknowledge the person next to you IMO and I've had the fortune to meet some very nice folks over my times. However, if it's a chatterbox or whatever the Bose QC2 go on my head ASAP.
Jan 13, 2005 | 2:23 am
#42
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Everywhere
Programs: UA Platinum, *G (mostly flying VA), QF/IHG/Bonvoy/Hilton all silver
Posts: 757
Originally Posted by UAL_Rulez
Depends what she looks like!
I say this all the time too, but completely choked on my last flight to LAX... I'm in 3A, a beautiful brunette around my age is one of the last to board, she takes 3B, and I say... nothing. At all. 3:30 flight time, not a word.
Can you see I still regret my action, or lack thereof?
Original topic - I'll return greetings, but don't usually offer my own. I'm up for having a conversation, but beginning it is squarely on the shoulders of my seatmate.
Jan 13, 2005 | 3:29 am
#43
Join Date: Oct 2004
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interesting people
hi,
i have flown 2 time eco and 10 time business last and this year.
i everytime say hello to the people when i arrive at my seat.
in business mostly the people are business people, older than me, so if i get a friendly hello, i start a small chat after the first snacks. mostly the response is ok, and i had often even an exchange of business cards, and 2 times where this hello lead to a business.
but sometimes there are people with this DARTH VADER aura sitting next to me, so i give a hello and as i can hear from the hello they throw back , it is better not to disturb them, than i shut up .
i mean , beeing on a flight 12hours or more sometimes, i think some talking is a nice thing to get the flight shorter.
so if i have darthvader near me, i go to the FAs and start nerving them
which indeed brought me 2 dates . but this is another story. ...
i have flown 2 time eco and 10 time business last and this year.
i everytime say hello to the people when i arrive at my seat.
in business mostly the people are business people, older than me, so if i get a friendly hello, i start a small chat after the first snacks. mostly the response is ok, and i had often even an exchange of business cards, and 2 times where this hello lead to a business.
but sometimes there are people with this DARTH VADER aura sitting next to me, so i give a hello and as i can hear from the hello they throw back , it is better not to disturb them, than i shut up .
i mean , beeing on a flight 12hours or more sometimes, i think some talking is a nice thing to get the flight shorter.
so if i have darthvader near me, i go to the FAs and start nerving them
which indeed brought me 2 dates . but this is another story. ...
Jan 13, 2005 | 8:21 am
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 13,144
It all depends on the mood of the person. I too look at their body languages and make the determination upon than. I don't want to ignore someone but at the same time, I don't want to feel like an idiot for talking to myself.
Jan 13, 2005 | 8:39 am
#45
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Bonita Springs FL
Posts: 2,963
Originally Posted by RobotDoctor
You wouldn't break your rules for me?
Trust me, it's for your own good...ya don't want to have to talk to me for the entire flight...I'll bore the daylights out of ya. Just ask poor SeeYa...who had to sit next to me SEA-ORD on 1/1...
