OMG this is opposite of how we interact in the Philippines. We talk to strangers just like family members. Only few are snobbish (I am one of them. LOL! I don't want to be hypnotized by scammers/thieves and all the "bad elements").

I am laughing here while reading... "leaves enough room for others to lay down if they wanted to in a line." I imagine someone laying down.
(^_^)