Don’t Sit Next to Coworkers on the Plane
Once, when I was returning with a film crew from Tokyo, a counter agent informed me that the only free seat was next to one of my colleagues. With whom I have just spent 8 sleepless days.
I sat down and immediately told him that we would not talk until we landed, 14 hours later.
If you are traveling with business colleagues, you may find yourself in a somewhat awkward situation: should you book next to each other?
Not! You should never feel the need for it.
Let me explain.
You get paid to spend time with these people, and small talk for hours is not one of your job requirements. You will have ample time to chat in the hotel bar or in your rental car, or while you wait for the meeting to begin, and you will not be able to use up all your kind conversations while taxiing off the ramp. Plus, you even buy yourself extra small talk with the whole phrase “What did you do on the flight?” topic.
Then it’s up to your personal preference. What if you and your coworker want to sit by the window? If you give up your own comfort and happiness, sit next to that person and continue the small talk puzzle (see above). Of course not! Book the place you want. It’s not personal, it’s just business.
What if you are a nervous pilot? I don’t have an MBA, but I’m pretty sure the advice would apply here, “never let them see you writhe.” Or maybe you have strange habits and take off your shoes before the plane takes off. Or snoring really loud. Or medication is needed to fly comfortably. This is all your coworkers don’t need to know, they spend enough time with you at your desk throughout the day, and just because you’re traveling for work doesn’t mean you aren’t entitled to some basic level of privacy. …
Some of you may say, “I work in the sales department and use the time on the plane to prepare with my team for our teamwork and purposeful blah blah blah.” Halfway through this offer, I turned down, trying to think of what the salesperson would say. My point is still valid: you will have enough time to talk about business in all other parts of your trip when you are forced to cooperate with the company. This flight is your time to watch Mama Mia: Here We Go Again and not think about managing your team.
So if you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of being placed in a tiny chair next to a coworker for hours, just let him know that you won’t be communicating until you switch sides.