So Tom was wondering about when "You're on a bus, train or plane travelling somewhere. The guy next to you starts talking to you - how do you respond? How does he start talking to you without seeming like a freak?"
So, Tom,
If I take this as a two part question, I guess how I respond has to do with my interest level not only in him but in how long my journey is and how much I feel like talking to anyone. Sometimes I might just want to zone out and not talk to anyone on the trip, but, then again, I've never been lucky enough to sit next to a single, attractive male (or, really any male other than a family member if I think about it) so I'm not talking from experience.
How could he start talking to me without seeming like a freak? Well, just to start up a casual conversation about something. Am I reading something? Then he could ask me about the author. Am I doing work or playing on a computer? He could use that as a polite way to talk to me. Or maybe he needs to pass my drink of water to me (I like the window seat, you see) or ask me for something. Just any sort of casual starter would work, and then he could go from there. You know, introduce himself, etc.
That make sense?
Hope that helps,
Victoria
What about you guys, ever found a good way to strike up a conversation with someone while travelling without seeming freakish?
9 comments:
A wide-eyed, unblinking stare as you ask "Do you hear the voices too?" is a great way of starting interesting conversations with strangers O:-)
On a more serious note, people who cheerfully start a conversation with the apparent assumption that the whole world is interested in having a chat rarely come across as freaks.
Placing an emphasis on the other person "What's your name, where are you going, etc" rather than taking it as an opportunity to talk about yourself is also a good idea. When I was travelling solo around Europe, I discovered "Where are you from?" was the standard way of starting a conversation. "I'm from England" would have been a non-starter.
I'm probably just an antisocial freak, but people who try to strike up conversations with me on planes PISS ME OFF. Shut up and let me read my book in peace and quiet. At least they usually get the hint when I give them a one word answer, smile briefly and turn back to my book.
It's amazing that I have any friends at all with an attitude like that, isn't it? But there you have it.
I agree Dominic, it's not really about you, but about getting to know them :) More fun that way too.
Yeah, Laura, people will probably figure that out :)
The opportunity for relating those comedy moments that happen in your head here is enormous.
How about when I sat opposite the colossal woman travelling back from London on the train, and watched her devouring bags of crisps (chips), and throwing the bags under her seat ?
I would have liked to open the conversation with "WHAT THE F*CK DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?"
*giggle*
check out this comic: http://xkcd.com/642/
Awesome! Perfect :)
Hmm, who is this anonymous person who reads xkcd? I am officially intrigued. Come visit me :)
Heh.
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