You Have No Choice

[teacake44]

So you need to get from A to B, and the best, and cheapest way is by coach, it will take two hours to reach B, and you have been allocated the inner seat of two, so that puts you in the middle of two strangers. Do you try to make friendly conversation with either of the two other passengers, or bury your head in a book, or newspaper you've taken along with you, or try to be sociable.

[KARL]

Sorry, I missed your explanation bottom previous page, just seen it.

[Buenchico]

I've found that chatting to people on public transport can be useful. I was once talking to a lovely 'little old dear' lady on a train. (Imagine Miss Marple, if you will). I fancied a drink from the bar but, since she seemed so prim and proper, I was worried that she might be offended if I brought any booze back to our table. So, out of courtesy, I asked her if she'd mind me drinking while I was chatting to her. She simply reached into her bag and pulled out a half bottle of Scotch and two glasses. I really enjoyed that journey ;-)

[youngmafbog]

I try not to travel on scum scoops, but if I did then I would not talk to anyone.

When I travel by train the seat next to me is always last to go. I have had people stand rather than sit nest to me - which is very odd.

[BagPussAA]

I put my headphones on and read my book. I make it very clear that they need to leave me alone.. I would try as hard as possible to be allocated to a different seat.. I need to be able to see the exit when on transport, in theatres, cinemas, restaurants..

[teacake44]

Thanks to everyone who have answered, but it's no surprise to me that we see young people, youths/teenagers,( that's discussed on here a lot,) of anti social behaviour and many other crimes, AB posters are soon reporting, and giving their views, the anti social is not just confined to young folk, in their defence, they have very few roll models to begin with.

[naomi24]

It doesn’t follow that anyone who doesn’t jump at every opportunity to converse with total strangers is anti-social. In a restaurant recently we fell into conversation with the couple on the next table. They almost drove us daft! I dread meeting anyone else who can’t wait to tell me – at length - all about the cruise they went on! Or about their illnesses and operations.

[Mamyalynne]

That's true Naomi, but a number of replies to this and the park bench thread have stated the responders are exactly that - in their own hand.

[naomi24]

Mamyalynne, is it anti-social? I don't know. I'm not anti-social - I talk to anyone who talks to me - but I prefer to choose my company. .

[retrocop]

There are two meanings to anti-social imo. One is thuggish rude boorish and loutish behaviour that causes annoyance and distress to others.
The other type could be ascribed to shy,aloof,cold,indifferent and unwilling to engage in social intercourse. Possibly party poopers.
A certain youngster on this site considers a milkshake thrown over a person going about his lawful business a jolly good hoot and fun. He does a great disservice to youth and will deservedly be described as anti-social and gives youths a bad name.

[Mamyalynne]

I didn't state that clearly - they said 'I am anti social'.

Of course some people don't mix easily and others have problems as Retro sated.

I am an irritating chatterbox but we knew that anyway :-)

[Tilly2]

I was travelling on a train on Sunday and had a seat on the other side of the table facing a 16/17 year old lad. He had earphones in and was glued to his phone. I read my paper.
About twenty minutes into the journey, he took out a bag of crisps, opened them and began munching. Second munch in, he leaned over the table and said, 'Would you like a crisp?' I was so surprised, I said, 'Yes, please.'

We then started chatting and he was such a lovely young man. It was a pleasure to meet him. I was sorry to have to get off the train.
Made my day, that did.

[teacake44]

I just find it very sad that many people seem to shy away from face to face social interaction. I don't mean you have to go out of your way to talk to every one you see, day after day, I do a lot of walking, more so in summer, when walking towards someone I always make an effort to speak, what I do notice is a lot of people will either look down towards their feet, or get their mobile phone out just before you cross paths. Last week ( I was sitting on a bench ) on a nice sunny day, a lady who I think was around the 65 mark, came up to me and said would you mind me sitting here, my reply was no, providing you don't pester me for an ice cream, this created a good laugh, as we were having a little chatter, she did say that its hard to get people to even say hello, never mind a conversation, exactly what I have been thinking for some time.
Now internet is a great tool / social media, but I do think that some folk just use it to try and inflict hurt on other people, do they do that because they don't have any social skill? ( I do wonder ) and what message are we sending to our young children, and other young kids.

[Calicogirl]

Personally I'd say hello and see if the others were inclined to chat and if they are -great, I like a chat. If they aren't then I'd stick my earphones in and leave them alone.

[Zacs-Master]

‘Now internet is a great tool / social media, but I do think that some folk just use it to try and inflict hurt on other people, do they do that because they don't have any social skill? ’

No. Stop clutching at straws in an effort to give your bizarre post some credibility.

[Cloverjo]

I think the term anti-social is often misplaced.

retrocop / /There are two meanings to anti-social. One is thuggish ... behaviour that causes annoyance ... to others.
The other type could be ascribed to shy and ...unwilling to engage in social intercourse.//

I am asocial as in I hate parties and having to talk to people. Not because I want to be awkward. I’m just rubbish at chatting and it’s uncomfortable for anyone involved.
I’m not antisocial though, as I don’t cause alarm or distress to anyone.

[ladybirder]

Walking my dog every day it is a rare day that I do not have a chat with someone, usually another dog walker, but I also give and receive nods from pram pushers, scooter riders, cyclists etc. One day last week I had a lovely chat with a young mother from Mexico who is a teacher in Brighton. Which was lovely.

[teacake44]

Zac, you have a big ego, but it goes nowhere on here day after day. You really need to get out more often, or if you can't get out, at least ask a question on AB, apposed to your pathetic attempt to put other folk down, with what you think are wise cracks.

[Zacs-Master]

I haven’t put anyone down. I’ve criticised your post. Rather ironically, it’s yourself whose resorted to personal insults.

Now, do you have any intelligent come back, or are you going to continue with the completely illogical conclusions and personal insults?

[fiction-factory]

I'm sure he's a nice bloke (or is that nicebloke1?) really, Zacs

[Zacs-Master]

;-)