If you’ve just boarded the plane, and sat down in your seat, chances are you’re looking to relax and enjoy your ride. Some people like to be chatty, but you might not be one of those people—but what if you’re sitting next to someone who is? How do you politely let them know that the last thing in the world that you want to be doing is talking to them? Here are some tips.
Stop It Before It Starts
The most ideal solution is to stop the conversation before it even starts. This isn’t always easy to do, but it’s possible if you’re clever, intuitive, and unafraid to make some big moves. If you can tell that the person next to you is considering starting up a convo, you should make your move quick—that move being making yourself unavailable for contact. This means either going to sleep, putting on headphones, or watching a movie.
Just Be Honest
But if you were unable to secure that early exit, and you’ve found yourself in a conversation that you never wanted, you might have to be brutally honest with the person. Now, when we say brutally honest, we don’t mean that you have to be mean to them. Just mention casually that you’re going to start watching a movie, or read a book, or go to sleep. As long as your firm in your intentions, they’ll understand.