Don't Sit By Me

[Foreigner]

This article in USA Today makes interesting reading...

http://travel.usatoday.com/destinat...tudy-of-antisocial-traveler-behavior/819045/1

Even in business class, many of us would rather sit alone with the next seat vacant, despite larger personal space (than in economy).

On the bus, we hope the seat next to ours would remain unused.

I've seen parents seated away from children, maybe to have a quieter time. Quite Understandable.

 

[juddles]

...
Even in business class, many of us would rather sit alone with the next sit vacant, despite larger personal space (than in economy).....

The space could not be big enough for me. Human nature. Most people would not want to share a hotel room with 20 other strangers, but in a plane you are expected (through necessity) to cram in like sardines. Even in business class you are still way closer to a stranger than is comfortable.

 

[Canny man]

That's why I love the Plat shadow and will alter seat selection to avoid travelling with colleagues - particularly those that treat the plane as a workplace!

 

[SeatBackForward]

That's why I love the Plat shadow and will alter seat selection to avoid travelling with colleagues - particularly those that treat the plane as a workplace!

I've been finding that I'm highly productive on planes. Not sure why, but it lets me really focus on work. Luckily we're not likey to be either colleagues or sitting together

 

[Canny man]

I'm not knocking your productivity, no phones and distractions is great for getting things done - it's when you've got a long haul, a great book, a glass of champagne in hand and the workmate thinks you're interested in reviewing a contract/spreadsheet or listening to their woes.

 

[coyote25]

I'm not knocking your productivity, no phones and distractions is great for getting things done - it's when you've got a long haul, a great book, a glass of champagne in hand and the workmate thinks you're interested in reviewing a contract/spreadsheet or listening to their woes.

Totally agree. When on the plane im happy to do my work (sometimes) but rarely happy to discuss work (beers in the lounge are okay for that!)

 

[SeatBackForward]

Totally agree. When on the plane im happy to do my work (sometimes) but rarely happy to discuss work (beers in the lounge are okay for that!)

Yes I agree with the above, actually interestingly enough conversations about work are usually with non-colleagues. normally someone that has nothing to dowith my field. I guess it always interesting to hear about things one knows not much about?

 

[Fantic125]

I think people from your stereotypical western culture have become a bit precious about 'personal space' to some degree.

Initially I found it uncomfortable to be seated close to someone (usually a total stranger) for up to 15 hours at a time, but after a period of working and travelling on public transport in places like India, Korea, China, Brazil, etc I think you tend to adjust your comfort levels.
(Particularly after 7 trips to India in 8 months! :shock

I treat plane time as my own time, and rarely work in transit. Usually on the plane I can determine pretty quickly whether the person next to me is happy to talk or wants their privacy. I'm comfortable either way, but have had some quite interesting conversations with fellow travellers who did feel like talking.

Like most things, YMMV.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Actually, when I saw this thread title, I thought it was going to be a reference to that brief moment in time, when you look at someone - not knowing where they are seated, think to yourself "hope they dont sit next to me"..and then whammo....sure enough they're sitting next to you, and more than likely, will have to climb over you to get to their seat.

 

[Ausbt]

A simple one for the commuter trains is to ride backwards, particulary toward the front of the carriage. People hate sitting facing a carriage full of people. I personally don't have a problem with, I'm a little more comfortable in front of a crowd. So occassionally I'll flip a seat backwards and sit facing the rest of the carriage on a train. Most of the time no one will occupy the middle seat right next to me. On a crowded train you'll get someone (begrudingly) on the ailse, but that middle will remain vacant. Plus, if you are reading the paper you have increased space in front of you to turn that broadsheet.

 

[Paddy55]

That's why I love the Plat shadow and will alter seat selection to avoid travelling with colleagues - particularly those that treat the plane as a workplace!

Plat shadow is one of the most valued of unpublished benefits - works especially well in mid 3 or 4 on 767 or A33x in Why

 

[blackcat20]

A simple one for the commuter trains is to ride backwards, particulary toward the front of the carriage. People hate sitting facing a carriage full of people. I personally don't have a problem with, I'm a little more comfortable in front of a crowd. So occassionally I'll flip a seat backwards and sit facing the rest of the carriage on a train. Most of the time no one will occupy the middle seat right next to me. On a crowded train you'll get someone (begrudingly) on the ailse, but that middle will remain vacant. Plus, if you are reading the paper you have increased space in front of you to turn that broadsheet.

I'm a backwards traveller on trains; the only problem is that I always end up with someone sitting opposite me, especially if I hae a window seat. But I do usually have a spare next to me unless the train is really full...

 

[Pleb Status]

I find that the biggest negative about the QF A380 J class seat (versus some others) is you may have to sit next to someone. The herringbone layout in J on other airlines appears to be more private even though you are more exposed to the aisle.

The forward/back grouped layout in BA J (club world) has to be one of the worst J layouts for privacy.

 

[fersea]

Whilst it is nice to have some extra space, I am generally happy to have someone sitting next to me who Is happy to engage in conversation. I find you do that and you are at the destination very quickly and you forget about being in a cramped seat. Once sat next to the comedian Brian Dawe in a plane and had a great conversation.

 

[samh004]

The reason I don't want someone sat next to me is more about not wanting to have to speak up to move past them at my stop. I will avoid interaction if possible, if I don't want it, and I can't describe the fear that grips me if someone sits next to me and I start thinking about how or what I'll say when the time comes to get out of my seat.

Same on a plane, if I took the window and needed the loo, I'd spend the entire flight working out what to say, how best to approach it, so tend to aim for aisles or book comfort seats.

It's less about not wanting to talk to others, but there's that too.


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[JohnK]

I prefer to be alone but don't mind if someone is sitting next to me.

When it comes to public transportation with no assigned seating (such as trains, buses, ferries etc) the vacant seat next to me is one of the last seats to be filled. Go figure. It has always made me feel inferior but perhaps it is mainly a case of my shyness being obvious.

 

[CharlieDog]

The reason I don't want someone sat next to me is more about not wanting to have to speak up to move past them at my stop.
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Ever since the time I had an 8 hour flight and some MORBIDLY OBESE person sat next to me, I've always done my best to make sure I get an aisle seat.
I'm not fattist or anything, but this person needed (and I cannot stress this enough - NEEDED) 2 seats.
By the end of the flight I was soaked down my right hand side with their sweat.
Not fun :-|

 

[Foreigner]

Using public buses from (SYD) airport works up sweat for me...praying there will be room for my luggage and self. But my experience in catching shuttle bus, domestic and overseas, has almost always been pleasant, as luggage most occasions is stored in hold. Sometimes there are conversations to listen to, other times everyone is focussed on the journey ahead. LAS and JFK come to mind.

 

[Canny man]

It's great if you do end up sitting next to a random stranger that you get on with. I have had some memorable flights where the 'chemistry' worked and the hours have flown by. I've even stayed in touch with a couple of folk. However, these are the exceptions.
The critical difference between a plane and the rest of the world is that when you meet the pub bore anywhere else, you can usually politely excuse yourself and make an exit.

 

[Ausbt]

The reason I don't want someone sat next to me is more about not wanting to have to speak up to move past them at my stop.


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Wow, that's really interesting. Look I don't want to sound like a jerk, but it really frustrates me if on a train i'm in the aisle or middle, and the window-person just fusses and fiddles with their bag, or looks at you or stands up but doesn't have the politeness to say 'excuse me'. Now that you've explained your situation, I'm going to try to be a little more understanding, but there have been times in the past where I have just completely ignored such fellow pax and even ulimately turned to them with a "why don't you just say excuse me if you want to get out, how would I know what you want?". I always say excuse me and in fact make a point of saying thank you to those who get up and let me out. As for those who simply let me squeeze past them, well occassionaly their toes are trodden on I suppose.