So you’ve just left the gate and boarded the plane. You’ve found your seat, a nice-looking window spot with ample legroom, and even a glossy-looking TV screen to boot. You’re about to start relaxing when you notice that the person sitting next to you wants to chat you up with a conversation. The only problem is, that you have an absolute desire to talk to them. Here are some tips for avoiding a conversation.
Play Dumb
The best thing you can possibly do before anything gets out of hand is to just play dumb. What that means is that if you’ve got your headphones on, or you’re watching a movie, just pretend like you don’t hear the person next to you who’s trying to get your attention. This allows the person to slowly realize that they should stop, and also saves them the embarrassment of knowing they bothered you.
Just Be Honest—But Casually
If there’s absolutely no way to prevent actual human conversation, then you may chat for a moment or two with them just to be polite. But when you feel like it’s gone too far, you must be honest with them—but politely and casually. Just say in a nonchalant, casual manner, “Yeah, I’m actually about to go to sleep”, or “About to watch to a movie”, or something that seems organic and in the flow of things. As long as you’re honest about your intentions, they’ll stop.
