Would you sit and chat to the person next to you on public transport?

If something unusual is happening (like snow in a city where it rarely snows) I might participate in a brief exchange.

If someone looks like they are lost or seriously ill (especially a child or senior citizen) I would probably ask if they need help.

Occasionally someone sees me knitting and asks what I'm making....I can tolerate that too if it's brief.

But no, I don't generally enjoy yakking with strangers just for the sake of yakking. Life is busy and loud already. It's nice to get a few minutes to your "self" even if there are other people around.

If I'm in the mood to chat, I'll say a little something about our surroundings, the weather, or some other innocuous topic. If the other person responds, it's not too hard to get into a casual conversation.

Today, for example, I was in a class, and the lady next to me said, "Hello! Aren't you glad the weather's warming up finally?"

So I said, "Yes -- now's our chance to get Christmas put away, because it won't be freezing cold up in the attic where we store our boxes." That got us going on a discussion of downsizing Christmas decorations as we got older, etc. etc.

As long as you're careful not to get into personal inquisitiveness, chatting can be fun.

Yes I would and I do. However, saying that I wouldn't interupt someone who was obviously working or listening to their music but if perhaps if sitting across from one another would comment on the weather or whatever and often this leads to a chat. Again if the person answered briefly obviously not wishing to engage in conversation I would respect their wishes.

i think part of it is that form a young age we are all taught about "stranger danger" and so we dont talk to anyone we dont know. sadly as there are a few weirdos out there who might get the wrong idea so we may feel safer if we dont talk to people

occasionally i have started chatting to people on the bus but normally i wouldnt have a clue what to say to them. alot of older people who use the bus regularly start chatting and make friends its quite nice to watch actually as they al greet each other when they get on .

A small conversation can be great with a like-able person but can make a complete nightmare journey when you're approached and are stuck with for a long journey, someone who's invading your space.. even worse if it's a sleazy/boozy-breathed/smelly bloke trying to chat you up & tell you how beautiful you are.. urgh.

I am a New York City native and this doesn't happen often where I'm from. Not to say because we're rude (as most people label us because we're from NYC) but because we mind our own business. However, I have met some very nice people while commuting to/from work. Not many but a few have started conversations with me and turned out to be very nice people. So, to answer your question, I agree with you. Unfortunately, not everyone would for their own personal reasons.

If the person next to me started a conversation I would chat away too, but I have to admit I wouldn't be the one to start up a conversation, as I am quite reserved.

If I'm on a plane, train, or whatever and the person next to me is an attractive woman, I'll strike up a conversation. Otherwise, I'd rather read.

You hit the nail on the head. I *used* to, quite often, 20 years ago (yes, i'm an old lady, grins)...

Now, we are all in our private boxes. If the bus is going very slow, or if there's an accident, or snow... then we all start talking to eachother. but by routine, nope. I've got my phone, you've got your lappy top, and she's got her texting.

No. The person beside me is probably an idiot, and I'd rather read a Clive Barker novel, thank you. And no, the more we talk to each other, the more we'd probably want to kill each other.