10 Airport/Airplane Conversation Starters

To be a good conversationalist, there are a few "rules" when it comes ti comes to conversing with strangers. In most cases, avoid discussing politics or religion unless there is a strong indicator of which way your subject leans and you happen to agree. There's no use having a "Crossfire" type debate in an airport or anywhere else with someone you don't know.

If you're not looking for some "ack-shun", don't get too personal with a member of the opposite sex. Same sex conversations could also be misinterpreted, for that matter. If you're a straight guy, you might not want to get into a discussion about Brokeback Mountain with the guy at the next urinal, for instance. Or anything else. The guy might be a Congressman cruising in an airport mensroom. Watch for that "wide stance".

In starting conversation with strangers, it takes a secure person with a lot of self-confidence to make the first move. If that describes you, you probably don't need a lot of help. For the rest of you, here are 10 ideas for airport/airplane conversation starters:

If you're a man trying to strike up a conversation with an attractive woman, say in an airport bar, Chris Berman of ESPN's infamous line "you're with me, Leather" is probably a little too forward unless you're a celebrity. According to the sports blog Deadspin, in the mid-90's a well known media personality had been trying to pick up a comely female in leather pants for an hour or so. In walks Chris "Boomer" Berman who, without breaking stride says "you're with me, Leather" and the two disappear."He ....could....go...all...the ...way...?"

If you're a regular Joe, you might try something less like a line. Maybe "I take it you're not a member of PETA?" if you don't get slapped, you're on your way.