While it is kind to be friendly, sometimes you simply need quiet time to rest, read or work without interruption. The best way to manage an excessively chatty neighbour is to establish a clear boundary early in the conversation with a gentle, yet firm, explanation. Do not wait until you are exhausted or annoyed to intervene; acknowledge their friendliness but immediately state your need for solitude.
For example, say, “It’s lovely chatting with you, but I’m afraid I have a very early start tomorrow and must try to get some sleep/focus on this work now. I hope you have a wonderful flight!” Critically, immediately follow this verbal boundary by putting on headphones (even if they are not playing anything) and turning your body slightly away. This combination of polite words and clear non-verbal cues is highly effective in signalling that the conversation has concluded.
