I’m wondering if it’s a Midwest thing, and depends on the cohort, but I’ve noticed that people will spontaneously meet and chat about all sorts of things (from inane to WILD trauma dumps). Anyways just my amateur anthropology lol I typically hear transit reflected as an experience where everyone keeps to themselves
From what I’ve seen in desert west, unless you’re hot or the person sitting next to you is trying to peddle something or just has a very loose filter, strangers are far more likely to chat up the bus driver.
The most interaction I’ve seen is when a group of Mormons started a cringey debate with a group of Mennonites on the train. Everyone else around them very intentionally put on their headphones or stared out the window.
I mean everyone is right it’s a desert