Why Do People Avoid Sitting Next to Strangers When Other Seats Are Empty?
An empty seat is sometimes a boundary disguised as furniture.
People avoid sitting next to strangers because distance preserves social flexibility.
People rarely choose the nearest seat when alternatives exist.
Distance reduces the chance of unwanted conversation, accidental eye contact, and subtle obligations. The empty seat becomes a buffer zone rather than wasted space.
The hidden mechanism is social flexibility. People value the option to engage more than engagement itself.
People think empty seats separate bodies. Often, they protect possibilities.
