When I sit down next to someone in an airplane, I look at them, assess their body language, perhaps say hello, and pull out my noise-canceling earphones as an implied next action. That usually is enough to stall conversation before it starts.

In my history of traveling, I think I have sat next to an interesting person twice. The odds are really low.

Several years ago I flew to Anchorage for work, which is of course many hours, and as I was getting my bag out of the overhead I said something to the guy next to me--and discovered that not only did we work for the same agency, but that we worked on the same floor of my office building. Different divisions, but seriously. It was very weird.

In general, no, I don't talk to people on the plane: I read, or sleep.

I sat next to a guy once who worked for a chemical company, and we had a very geeky chemistry discussion. That is the sum total of my interesting conversations on an airplane. I have also spent a plane ride next to someone who was trying to convince me to accept Jesus.

My mother talks to everyone, which is why it takes forever to do anything with her.

I have also spent a plane ride next to someone who was trying to convince me to accept Jesus.

That happened once to DH. He told her he had, but that I was struggling with that decision. He's lucky I didn't strangle him.

what's the term for someone who is very much an extrovert, but absolutely needs a certain amount of alone time/down time?

Me.

And me. Although apparently this makes us introverts, because the key factor is how you recharge. It's why I like to have my own room at the F2F. I LOVE to be with people, but sometimes I need to be by myself, and I can get very cranky if I am not able to be.

In my history of traveling, I think I have sat next to an interesting person twice. The odds are really low.

I find myself sitting next to an interesting person quite often. Because I bring them with me.

The last time I flew I sat next to someone wearing this hat. [link]

bt, oh that I could do that often!

In my history of traveling, I think I have sat next to an interesting person twice. The odds are really low.

I'm sure I've sat next to plenty, but I'll never know.

Trains seem much more conducive to conversation -- at least while I was in England, but even the Amtrak that I took a lot back in college had some good conversations.

Of course, my hearing was better then. At least then I can claim (perhaps with a wee bit exaggeration) that my hearing loss makes it hard to understand without shouting.