Reply To: sitting next to opposite gender on plane

In 20 years of commuting to and from Brooklyn, Manhattan and NJ on the NYC subway, NJ Transit and Path, I have found it much easier (relaxing and enjoyable if such words could be used to describe a commute) to sit next to non jewish females than males of any religion. Frum females, especially married ones seem to be highly uncomfortable of males, of any color, race or religion and particularly frum males next to them. It appears that the proliferation of ipods, tablets etc have made people less aware of their surroundings and people are becoming less aware (concerned?) of who is sitting or standing next to them.