Avoiding small talk with strangers

[Princess Fiona]

Some people don't even bother doing that which I think is rude. Even if I'm listening to my favourite song or watching a good movie, I always take off my headphones when the FA is talking to me, it's basic manners IMO.

Yes I totally agree

 

[harvyk]

Some people don't even bother doing that which I think is rude. Even if I'm listening to my favourite song or watching a good movie, I always take off my headphones when the FA is talking to me, it's basic manners IMO.

Agree 100%. I tend to even pause movies / songs when I notice the FA getting close (eg serving the row in front / behind) so that I don't unnecessarily hold the FA up with fumbling around with AVOD.

 

[TomVexille]

Agree 100%. I tend to even pause movies / songs when I notice the FA getting close (eg serving the row in front / behind) so that I don't unnecessarily hold the FA up with fumbling around with AVOD.

Definitely do this.

 

[CMA222]

Some people don't even bother doing that which I think is rude. Even if I'm listening to my favourite song or watching a good movie, I always take off my headphones when the FA is talking to me, it's basic manners IMO.

I use my NC Sony headphones to settle into a separate world on board and to cut off talkative neighbours when necessary. I always take them off when the FA's are heading my way (as well as pausing the movie) so I can pay the respect the FA's deserve when they are doing their job and making my experience what i expect it to be.

There are times when a chat with a neighbour is a great experience but IMHE it usually involves common interest in the wine they are serving and the rest just flows from there !!

 

[Archphoto]

Agree 100%. I tend to even pause movies / songs when I notice the FA getting close (eg serving the row in front / behind) so that I don't unnecessarily hold the FA up with fumbling around with AVOD.

I do the same. Only time I may still have them in my ears is if I've dozed off, and they wake me up for my feed. (Yes, I travel Y on the client's dime.)

 

[AngieP]

Last trip to Perth on my own I decided to spend the points and upgrade to Business for a bit of 'me' time - settled in to my seat and then I was joined by a very nice lady who had just been to her father's funeral the day before. She cried nearly the whole way back to Perth. She was also a nervous flyer and gripped my hand more than once during turbulence whereupon I had to speak calmly and reassuringly to her! I found myself providing some counselling and consolation! In this situation it really was the only thing to do and I was fine with that if a little tired at the end of the flight! The FA thought we were travelling together and because the lady was travelling on a Qantas staff tix he actually asked me if I'd paid for my seat! I was bit flabbergasted at that but given the situation didn't respond! It was that kind of day!

But it got better on the return flight! I sat next to a woman who went into great detail about her ex husband (prominent big mining company chairman) and his many negative attributes and deeds ! OMG it was awful! Even the headphones didn't deter her! She also shared her numerous big game fishing photos with me! Ahhhh.

Even so, I still always acknowledge those seated next to me politely !

 

[Musongman]

On the 29th Aug last, coming back from BKK ( in cattle ) after two months of glorious warm weather, I thought I had scored an empty seat next to me until someone arrived last minute to take it.
I was on the aisle in the middle section, and I got up to let this guy in, and he asked if I preferred the seat I had, to which I replied I did. I thought to myself, here goes, and obnoxious type, however, he turned out to be a nice guy on his last leg from Venice to Sydney via Istanbul. We chatted a fair bit but had pauses and I helped him with his arrival form, we met at baggage collection, and exchanged email addresses. He did contact me a few days later and I did reply. All in all, a pleasant enough encounter. (Please excuse lack of punctuation, I'm lazy! )

 

[SamR]

Given that I seem to have one of those faces that people think is approachable (HA!), I have surprisingly pretty much been able to avoid small talk when flying. One notable exception was when I was flying ANA to London via Tokyo and was seated next to an elderly British couple. Neither of them fared well with the Japanese FAs - their English was universally perfect but they did have accents, so I found myself playing interpreter for the Brits. The gent, who I was right next to, had particular trouble with the food. We were served a meal with a cold seaweed and sesame salad, and another with cold noodles. He demanded of me WOT'S THIS MUCK THEN? And I had to explain. Also had to explain to the FAs on their behalf when they tried to order a lager and lime.

The best unexpected chat I ever had was a wrong number. An elderly lady was trying to call a friend but kept calling my number by mistake. On the third attempt we kept chatting. I don't recall how it came up, but she started telling me stories of the old, glamour days of international cruising on ships, the kind where you had to wear proper frocks and jewellery to dinner and such like. Absolutely fascinating. We ended up talking for about an hour.

 

[drron]

Women still wear proper frocks and jewellery to dinner when cruising don't they?

 

[SamR]

I wouldn't know. The idea of being trapped on a ship for days with The People gives me the fear. I've never done it.

 

[samh004]

A few one word answers usually does the trick

But that's how I normally speak

 

[Julesmac]

Mr Mac is a fair dinkum Moron Magnet. I just pretend I don't know him (hard when he's hissing at me to get him away from the yakking MM - last one he had could have bored for Australia!) and put my earphones on, usually not plugged in! Thankfully on our last long haul we were J on the A380 so could just bore each other

 

[Sprucegoose]

I had a priest once who asked me to guess what he did!

And that was in J class.

Dear oh dear .....

 

[russ]

I had a priest once who asked me to guess what he did!.

There's a Royal Commission to answer that question

 

[NFF]

I wouldn't mind a small talk if she is pretty.

 

[pablo1]

Appears common for people that enjoy flying to not enjoy small talk!

Don't mind a quick chat, but can't stand serial talkers... especially when laptop/tablet/documents out obviously trying to get some work done :-|

 

[Bali Belly]

I tend to be polite , say hello a few minutes of small talk, then pop on the nc headphones
Occasionally I will have a conversation when drinks or meals are coming and I am otherwise distracted

I do find it very hard not to indulge in conversations while sitting at an ek A380 bar with a coughtail in hand

 

[Buzzard]

I had a priest once who asked me to guess what he did!

And that was in J class.

Dear oh dear .....

Exorcisms?

Headphones don't deter Mrs Buzzard, she just elbows me in the ribs.

 

[JessicaTam]

Exorcisms?

Headphones don't deter Mrs Buzzard, she just elbows me in the ribs.

And so she should!

 

[Foreigner]

Exorcisms?

Headphones don't deter Mrs Buzzard, she just elbows me in the ribs.

I was lucky to get nudges for attention.