But seriously, even if you consider phones as more distracting than papers, well keep in mind that many people in cities just don't want to be talked to, especially not on their daily commute or what not. I mean, try striking up a conversation with someone on the Tube when in London. They'll probably look at you as if you're mad, and that's been the case for decades.
Hell, they even tried that recently, and people weren't having any of it:
this is funny because chit chat is generally very welcomed on the nyc subway (and practically everywhere else), especially on the weekends when you can talk to tourists and give directions and have nice exchanges. Obviously rush hour isn't a great time to chat but otherwise tons of people just love to talk about anything, anytime. It's highly contrasted to how very very reserved everyone is in Atlanta (my current home) and almost every other US city outside of new york.
I have lived in NYC for more than three years and feel like I've probably only seen a conversation between strangers maybe 5-15 times ever? I take the L and NQRW the most, perhaps this is a hyper-local phenomenon with your line?
I do see the 'tourist asks if they can get to ___ on this train' conversation but don't really consider that in the context of the OP.
It's up to you to make a pithy observation + smile or comment on the weather or give up your seat + say hello. Make the subway you want! I rode the A/C & 1/2/3 mostly, fwiw. West side manhattan is just friendlier I guess ;)
Doesn't surprise me and it's because the risk outweighs the reward. The people who usually strike up a conversation are scammers or a little crazy. And the chances of converting a conversation from reasonable person into something of value (friendship, a meaningful encounter) is low.
I think there may be an element of overload avoidance. When you live so close to so many people your choices are to avoid or engage. If you engage you then have to actively limit the level of engagement or risk being swamped, either by too many people or by to deep an engagement.
Where I live there seems to be an agreement that interactions are limited to a smile and a hello how are you? The expectation is that you will respond with something positive. Nobody really wants to know your depths of dispare. I have a feeling that if somebody did really respond that they were desperatley lonely then in general most people would engage with a noncommiting conversation.
But seriously, even if you consider phones as more distracting than papers, well keep in mind that many people in cities just don't want to be talked to, especially not on their daily commute or what not. I mean, try striking up a conversation with someone on the Tube when in London. They'll probably look at you as if you're mad, and that's been the case for decades.
Hell, they even tried that recently, and people weren't having any of it:
https://www.citylab.com/life/2016/09/tube-chat-no-thanks-say...
Makes me wonder if large cities/groups in general kill conversations and people's interest in being social more than anything else.