I’d like to know why every passenger is on my flight. I already know where we’re headed, so that’s one question answered. But why are all these people sitting in neat rows alongside me on, let’s say, a Wednesday at 1 p.m.? I’ve always wished that there was another option offered on the in-flight entertainment, alongside the movies and maps, to select a seat at random and have the passenger sitting there provide a reason for their presence. Was it cheaper to fly at midday, maybe? Did they decide impulsively, just a few hours ago, that they needed to get away and selected the soonest departure? Are they simply connecting to another flight? Just tell me. I want to know. 

Any trip I’ve made outside of what could reasonably be considered business hours—to a grocery store, yoga class, hair salon, coffee shop, doctor’s office, park or mall—has always left me wondering why anyone is there with me. Naturally, that extends to the commute to those locations, riding the subway at some ungodly hour. I, obviously, have normal and ordinary reasons for being there, but what about everyone else?

Of course, because I know my reasons I find them boring. If it’s late at night or early in the morning, I know why I’m not in bed; if I’m somewhere other than an office during office hours, I know it’s because my profession allows such flexibility. But it’s only if you were to bump into an acquaintance out of hours that you could ask them to explain what they’re doing and why. Everyone else is a mystery—and therefore endlessly fascinating. What needs or wants do they have that must be fulfilled by this journey, that purchase; to be in this place at this specific time? 

At this point, it is probably redundant for me to say that I am a very nosy person. But I don’t think my curiosity is particularly singular to my personality (despite the fact that it rarely occurs to me that other people might wonder the same things about me); I suspect most people would have some thoughts about their accidental subway companion at 4 a.m. Demanding an answer would be impolite, but at the same time imagining that their explanation would be full of mystery and intrigue—perhaps romantic or sinister—would be to get ahead of yourself, even if it is a lot of fun.