I get where this comes from, and there's truth in it. But if you want to speak with people and connect with them (especially on longer journeys rather than a seven minute Tube journey) do try it. I regularly speak to people on train journeys, especially if I'm travelling alone, and have had great fun conversations and learnt about the person. If you're generally okay at picking up cues you'll be able to tell when people don't want to talk or when they're done talking for now. I live and was born in the UK. I suppose my point is don't let a sense people don't do it here hold you back: lots of people have said they've had real fun talking on an otherwise dull journey.

It's given me some great journeys and little windows into lives I haven't lived.