Will Trend Stop Now That The Election Is Over?

Finally getting past the election in the US may have an immediate beneficial effect on airline travelers. Business fliers of all political affiliations have been reporting an unusual amount of political conversation in the last few months from airplane seatmates, fellow guests, diners and even their own associates.

Executive coach Barry Goldberg described his experience on a recent flight from Atlanta to New York. He told The New York Times he was minding his own business -- reading The Financial Times -- when the guy in the next seat started in.

"The opening salvo was, 'Oh, that pink paper. What's the matter -- you can't read an American paper?" he recounted. The Financial Times is printed on salmon-colored paper.

Goldberg continued, "After the safety announcements, he said, 'You're one of those people who's going to vote for Obama, right? You're probably one of those people who thinks we ought to talk to Iran.' This guy didn't give it up."

The Times also spoke with marketing company owner Laurie Riedman... a frequent flier who bears a passing resemblance to Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, a fact she says a fellow passenger was more than happy to point out.

"It was bizarre to me. I happen to be an Obama supporter and I think people thought they were giving me a huge compliment," she said.

Christopher Federico, director of the Center for the Study of Political Psychology at the University of Minnesota, observes, "There's a lot of research to suggest that people behave in unique ways when there is anonymity."

In any case... we're just glad the election is over so we can get back to business as usual, and the more traditional themes of unsolicited conversations from your seat-mates.

You know... like his pending divorce, or her mother's bout with chronic irritable bowel syndrome.

FMI: www.polisci.umn.edu/cspp/