I’m on flights BA 48/49. As I have previous mentioned, one thing I miss when travelling for business is talking to folks around me. Business/Corporate-type folks never want to do this (unless they’re pilots). The Freds usually just raise their privacy screen and go about their business, whatever that may be…

Whatever that may be, usually includes:
– Sitting there quietly.
– Sipping on a drink.
– Reading (acceptable excuse).
– Working (acceptable excuse).
– Sleeping (AKA: Setting themselves up for major jet lag).
– Fiddling with their seat.
– I can’t tell because the privacy screen is up…

We all know this is to make themselves look busy, so for this trip, I made a goal to engage the person next to me in conversation, regardless of how awkward it becomes.

Things I hope to figure out:
– Hometown?
– Job?
– Relationship status?
– Kids?
– Dogs or cats?
– Why did you choose meal X over meal Y?
– Favorite in-flight movie?
– Their thoughts of the impact of having Greece leave the Euro-Zone?
– Président Hollande?! Sacrebleu!!!
– What fancy hat they were going to buy in celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee???
– Folder or scruncher?

Results of Flight 48:
FAIL.

Results of Flight 49:
I complimented my neighbor’s Filson Computer Bag during boarding. Things ended shortly afterward.

Lessons Learned:
Obviously I’m not trying hard enough.

Action Plan:
I get another chance in a month. Time to bring out all the icebreakers I learned as a RA. It’ll be fun for everyone!
– Two truths and a lie.
– Let’s go around the cabin and say our names, where we’re from, and what our favorite food is. As we progress, you must repeat every previous passenger’s info!
^These are the only ones I remember… Feel free to suggest more…