Quote:
Originally Posted by ekbell
Whereas I find it strange that conversation (past hello and pleasantries on the weather) would be expected from a stranger in a public place, particularly in regards to public transportation. I expect most people using public transportation to be doing so because they'd can't use private transportation and the fact that it's difficult to remove oneself from a conversation on public transportation means that I should be particularly careful to not force my conversation on someone.
Although my opinion may be biased due to living in a backyardless house full of people. I don't have a private venue to go to where I can reasonably expect no one to try to converse with me (and it's rude to ignore one's family). If I couldn't expect to be left mostly alone when walking through the local park or going to the library, I'd probably go bonkers.
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I might start talking to you if we were in line next to each other at the bank or seated next to each other on public transportation, but if you appeared to be uninterested in continuing the conversation I would shut up.
Usually I can get a pretty good sense if somebody is open to conversation just from their body language - are they are looking around with a smile at the other people nearby, or are they staring straight ahead as if they have blinders on, obviously avoiding eye contact? - you get the idea.
I wouldn't attempt to start a conversation f you were obviously reading, listening to music, doing homework for school, etc.
Some of this is probably regional. I live in the southeastern US where people are generally friendly and will say hi to strangers.