An American friend told me it is extremely rude to start a conversation in public with someone you don’t know. I nearly always exchange pleasantries with someone on the bus or train. Has that become rude in the US or is that person an outlier?
Replies
for all those who would prefer a stranger *not* strike up a convo with them during their commute-don't worry, I see you. I love you. I'm one of you.
aug 13, 2025, 10:43 am • 1 0 • view
To be fair, if someone exhibits obviously leave me alone signals then I leave them alone.
aug 13, 2025, 6:28 pm • 0 0 • view
Does he live in LA? Because people were very odd about it there, way more so than NYC. My frame of reference is growing up in the south with parents who could chat with a park bench, so I talk to strangers a lot, but only in LA did people seem suspicious and confused by it.
aug 13, 2025, 8:57 am • 1 0 • view
Seattle
aug 13, 2025, 9:47 am • 1 0 • view
Look up Mossback on pbs. There’s an episode about Seattle Freeze. It’s not rude, it’s just weird cultural thing. Get folks on a sunny day and they’ll usually chat nicely
aug 13, 2025, 12:12 pm • 2 0 • view
Oh gosh. I’d better not move to the US then. Always happy to start it join in a chat. Though my family do think I’m a bit odd when I do it. 😂
aug 13, 2025, 7:32 am • 1 0 • view
Even here in Massachusetts, where people are very prickly, it's not uncommon, but the convos tend to be short and direct.
aug 13, 2025, 12:44 pm • 1 0 • view
outlier
aug 13, 2025, 6:43 pm • 0 0 • view
He's wrong. I probably do it less in Paris, more in the south but there's nothing wrong with it at all.
aug 13, 2025, 5:11 am • 2 0 • view
Outlier! We do this in the South ALL the time, no issues.
aug 13, 2025, 2:33 pm • 1 0 • view
That would be horrible. Just sullen silent people, grunting their way through life. Happy to have a convo about nothing much on the train to work. Not a deep discussion, but just some fun exchange. Hope he's an outlier.
aug 13, 2025, 5:33 am • 1 0 • view
He's an outlier.
aug 13, 2025, 5:22 am • 1 0 • view
outlier
aug 13, 2025, 4:37 am • 5 1 • view
Best not to over-share, but like greetings and weather and the state of the current transportation situation seem fine to me.
aug 13, 2025, 4:48 am • 3 0 • view
Outlier
aug 13, 2025, 9:12 pm • 0 0 • view
As long as you don’t open with “How YOU doin’?” You should be fine.
aug 13, 2025, 7:49 am • 1 0 • view
Isn’t it weird how over time I identify more and more with Joey?
aug 13, 2025, 4:38 pm • 2 0 • view
I hate small talk personally, but that’s a me problem. As long as you don’t treat me rudely when I try to excuse myself into my book/phone it’s cool. Social anxiety is real.
aug 13, 2025, 5:25 am • 1 0 • view
Absolutely! It’s not something you should inflict on someone.
aug 14, 2025, 4:24 am • 0 0 • view