Should train commuters talk to total strangers ?

Question

Do people hate it when total strangers start up conversations with you on the train when you're trying to read or do the Sudoku, etc ?

Answer 1

The pleasure of "rubbing up" against strangers (on a train or wherever) is called Frotage.  To h**l with talking.

Answer 2

I don't feel offended if a stranger tried to strike up a conversation EXCEPT when I'm on a plane and I'm trying to get some sleep. If your too dumb to see if the person you are talking to wants to actually have a conversation, you shouldn't be talking in the first place.   Its actually amazing about many id***s don't get it and keep on talking...

Answer 3

i think it depends on which part of the country you are in and the time of day. On a friday night when people are on the way to town, people tend to be much more approachable as opposed to monday morning on their way to work. Londoners have a bit of a reputation of being uninterested whereas people in oxford will be much happier to have a chin wag.

If someone has music in their ears or a newspaper, it usually means they don't want to be disturbed.

Answer 4

No Life is bloody lonely so its great when someone takes an interest in you, especially if you will never see them again and can pretend you are not a total failure and a waste of space.

Mind you the Jehovas witnesses try to deliver the Watch tower when I am out these days because they get tired of me.

Answer 5

A stranger is a friend you have not met yet. I do not see anything wrong with striking up a conversation with someone you have never met before. Is that not what we do on here everyday?

Answer 6

I would let them know I was immersed in what I was doing if they continue, but...this may read surreal, does it not depend on the aesthetics on the 'stranger' - would you (male) return the serve to, say, a 24 year old female student the same way you would to a 42 year old mother of three (with or without the bairns in tow)? Or what about a lass...would the aesthetics of the stranger make your decision to return his serve (be it 'good morning', or anything else innocently).

  Of course, most Brits still tend to hold on to the old school concept when it SUITS them nowadays. I admit myself, if a lass said 'morning' to me, I would return the serve (as I always have done)...but if she looked like, say Charlotte Church...to pick a name out of my wee head - then I would try to push greetings to conversation as swiftly as possible - but if she looked like the classic hen pecked soap-opera dearie, would keep words down to a minimum ('tis a male thang, I'm afraid!). And I suspect...be it on the Tube under London or in the queue of a shop in Norwich, we all group people and make presumptions, whatever our s*x.

  However, if someone is trying to engage you whilst you are doing a crossword or Sudo ku, then that is pure rudeness - but then again, would we snarl or smile depending on the aesthetics of the person (of opposite s*x) who spoke.

  Those 'total strangers' are also train commuters...and judging from the paranoia about something else altogether in London of late, could be you will be in situation when he/she may save your life - if of course you are being pestered almost to criminal levels, (by whatever s*x) I'm sure...even in London...the rest of the 'strangers' in your carriage will be strangers no more.

Answer 7

What is a total stranger? Is that different from a stranger? Is there such a thing as a "partial stranger"?

Answer 8

If you're in London it's a cardinal sin to even look accidently at another person on a train/tube - avoid all eye contact at all costs. I should imagine starting random conversations would bring the world to a stop...

Answer 9

Its not like that in my neck of the woods. You are left to enjoy blissful peace if you so wish. But occassionally you get talking. Though general rule seems  be, avoid eye contact if you want solitude.

Answer 10

yes

Answer 11

I think it all depends on how you feel at that moment.  Somethimes it's nice to chat and pass the time.  Not when I'm reading though!

Answer 12

I think it is a cultural thing although also think that you can gauge from reaction if someone wants to continue discussion/ conversation or not. avoid eye contact if don't want to chat.

Answer 13

This depends on conversation, if you are asking help to find places and give you correct good information so this strangers is safe but for further conversation you have to be clever to put yourself in shape as all strangers are different, you can easily detect how they communicate with you.