Known for its blazing fast internet and home to some of the world’s biggest tech giants, South Korea has also faced a string of data breaches and cybersecurity lapses that has struggled to match the pace of its digital ambitions.

If you were to ask most country artists (established ones) about their relationship with Lower Broadway, most would tell you they want nothing to do with it, and rarely venture down there. Full of rowdy tourists, gimmicky, cookie cutter bars, and more hip hop and classic rock than any country bar should play, it’s no secret that Nashville has changed A LOT in the past decade or so. But if you ask Jake Worthington, there’s still some magic in downtown Nashville. Jake Worthington stopped by the Whiskey Riff Raff podcast to talk about his sophomore album When I Write The Song, how he loves sad country songs but has been scared to cut them in case they come true, why he still believes in making a full and complete album, his love for Zach Top and the traditional country revival, being from Texas and his influences there and so much more. Worthington also talked to us about how, whenever he’s in town (he lives in Texas), he loves to walk up and down Broadway and listen to the music and the live bands. The country artist said it somewhat keeps him in the loop, and allows him to hear what modern country artists are listening to: “I’ll tell you one thing I like to do, something that you could have caught me doing for the years that I’ve been coming here. I like to go walk. I even walk down there to Broadway. I know I don’t look like much of a walker, but I do. I’ve found it interesting over the years hearing the different juke boxes and what was getting played in the bars – the live bands, what are they playing. What is Top 40 now and what are people playing? I’ve heard this town get inspired, and that inspires me.” That being said, what he hears on Broadway – which if we’re being honest, can be music that’s a far stretch away from country – doesn’t change how he approaches his own musical process. He made that very clear. For fans of Worthington out there, don’t expect a pop country or EDM record anytime soon: “I just like hearing what the world thinks. It ain’t gonna change what I do. I’ve never wanted to make music besides the kind of music that I make. Obviously that grows for anybody making records or writing songs. (It’s a) grass grows where you water it type of deal.” @whiskeyriff “I’ve heard this town get inspired, and that inspires me.” // Check out the latest Whiskey Riff Raff episode with @Jake Worthington! Available on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube. #whiskeyriff #whiskeyriffraff #jakeworthington #nashville #broadway ♬ original sound – Whiskey Riff Worthington made sure to point out that the more he’s gone down to Broadway as of late, the more he’s heard people requesting or cueing up traditional country music. To him, that’s a promising sign, and a sign that the pendulum might be swinging back to the traditional sound of country that’s as timeless as anything else. He says that when he’s walking up and down Broadway, or sitting at the end of the bar, and he hears a Merle Haggard song, it proves that there’s still magic in Music City. And Worthington will die on the hill of Nashville still being a special place for an artist: “I still think Nashville is magical. All the buildings getting brought up and all that stuff, I don’t care for all that. But still, this town is magic. It’s the people in it.” To hear more from Jake Worthington on his thoughts on Nashville, make sure to download the podcast on Apple Podcasts by searching “Whiskey Riff Raff” or click here. We’re also available on Spotify and wherever else you can listen to podcasts. Cheers, y’all. Audio Video The post “I Still Think Nashville Is Magical” – Jake Worthington Is One Of The Country Artists Who Still Enjoys Wandering Around Broadway first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

Welp… Joe Rogan broke some news about The Red Clay Strays on The Joe Rogan Experience that I’m not exactly sure was supposed to be made public just yet. The country rock band from Mobile, Alabama were out in Joe Rogan’s neck of the woods and evidently decided to join in on the popular podcaster’s show. Brandon Coleman (frontman), Andy Bishop (Bassist) and Drew Nix (guitarist) all sat down with Rogan and discussed their careers, how the band formed, names the group almost went by, a new single that’s on the way, and how their faith has guided them throughout everything. They describe themselves as not as a Christian band, but a band full of Christians. Their faith and outspokenness about the Lord are intertwined with most of their catalogue – especially so in their most recent album Made By These Moments. There are actually a number of songs in that project that you could probably hear played in church. And speaking of albums by The Red Clay Strays… it sounds like fans will be getting a follow up to that 2024 album (and their Live At The Ryman album that also released late last year) sooner rather than later. Towards the beginning of the interview, it first sounded like Rogan was talking about their “new album” in reference to Made By These Moments, which would be their newest. But it quickly became clear that The Red Clay Strays have a new project on the way, and Joe Rogan has already heard the whole thing. The podcast host was talking with the band about how well they all get along when he threw this comment out there: “The final product is amazing, and the new album is really f***ing good. It’s coming out in June of next year? Is that when it’s supposed to come out? The press thing I got said June of next year, I was like, ‘This should come out now.'” And in the room, it certainly seemed like there was a “Was Joe supposed to say that?” kind of vibe. The Red Clay Strays went along with it, and Brandon Coleman was the first to respond to Rogan’s question: “We’re shooting for summer of next year. We don’t really know yet.” The band’s bassist, Andy Bishop, then chimed in and seemingly confirmed that the news Joe Rogan had just broken was just meant for Joe Rogan to know: “You’re probably the only one that’s supposed to know that.” To be clear, it wasn’t awkward, and there wasn’t any tension… but it did seem to catch the Red Clay Strays off guard. If it truly did, props to them for keeping cool about the new album announcement leak happening right in front of them. Rogan isn’t one to typically edit his podcast interviews that much, so the band just adapted to the situation and said a couple more things about the album coming in 2026. Brandon added that though there’s still some work to be done, summer of next year seems like the target for their new album to drop: “We’re still working on mixes. Hopefully June is gonna be the ticket.” Oh, and Joe Rogan did respond to Bishop saying he was the only one that was supposed to know that. The podcast host played it off as not a big deal, and even shared what could very well be the first reviews for the unnamed, unreleased third record from The Red Clay Strays “Oh really? Well everyone knows now. Well… it’s really good. The final product, you guys are very unique. You have a very unique sound and it’s very fun.” You can hear more about The Red Clay Strays and their new album coming in summer of 2026 in the interview below: The post Joe Rogan Accidentally Broke The News That The Red Clay Strays Have A New Album Dropping Summer Of 2026 first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

It didn’t just happen to Joe Biden. It turns out that staffers, likely all over Capitol Hill, are using the autopen to make sign documents for their boss without their knowledge. In . . .

One of the greatest guitarists and songwriters of all time, Keith Richards has been a crucial part of The Rolling Stones’ success. His partnership with Mick Jagger has produced songs that have inspired millions of musicians worldwide over the past six decades. Throughout his career, he had the chance to meet many incredible artists and watch them perform, and some became his favorites. Rock and Roll Garage selected two songs that Keith Richards once said are among the best of all time. The 2 songs Keith Richards said are among the best of all time The Ronnetes "Be My Baby" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSPpbOGnFgk&list=RDjSPpbOGnFgk&start_radio=1&pp=ygUKYmUgbXkgYmFieaAHAQ%3D%3D The first song is "Be My Baby" by The Ronettes, which Keith Richards said in his autobiography Life that was one of the greatest songs ever recorded. "The Ronettes were the hottest girl group in the world, and early in 1963 they’d just released one of the greatest songs ever recorded, 'Be My Baby,' produced by Phil Spector. We toured with the Ronettes on our second UK tour, and I fell in love with Ronnie Bennett, who was the lead singer." "She was twenty years old and she was extraordinary, to hear, to look at, to be with. I fell in love with her silently, and she fell in love with me. She was as shy as I was, so there wasn’t a lot of communication, but there sure was love. It all had to be kept very quiet because Phil Spector was and notoriously remained a man of prodigious jealousy. She had to be in her room all the time in case Phil called. And I think he quickly got a whiff that Ronnie and I were getting on. He would call people and tell them to stop Ronnie seeing anybody after the show. Mick had cottoned to her sister Estelle, who was not so tightly chaperoned." He continued: "(...) She told me later that Phil was acutely conscious of his receding hairline and couldn’t stand my abundant barnet (London rhyming slang for hair: Barnet Fair). This insecurity was so chronic that he would go to terrible lengths to allay his fears. To the point where, after he married Ronnie in 1968, he made her prisoner in his California mansion, barely allowing her out. Preventing her from singing, recording or touring." "In her book she describes Phil taking her to the basement and showing her a gold coffin with a glass top, warning her that this was where she would be on display if she strayed from his rigorous rules. Ronnie had a lot of guts at that young age, which didn’t, however, get her out of Phil’s grip," Keith Richards said. She was married to the famous producer Phil Spector from 1968 to 1974 but decided to keep his surname until the end of her life. Phil Spector died in 2021 after serving nearly 20 years in prison for murder. The first time Keith Richards heard "Be My Baby" Their friendship continued over the decades and they even had the chance to record together. In 2007 he was the one who inducted The Ronettes into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. During his speech, Keith recalled the first time he ever heard their classic "Be My Baby". "In 1964, North of England, on the road as usual, I climbed out of my little cubicle and I'm walking down that corridor. It's green, it smells, it's dark." "As I get to the stairwell I start to hear these voices (thinking I was high already). But as I go down the stairwell I hear this beautiful little chant set up Nedra and Estelle. I realize I'm listening to The Ronettes. Then that pure, pure voice over the top singing 'Be My Baby'. I realized that despite Jack Nitzsche's beautiful arrangements they could sing their way right through a wall of sound. They didn't need any of that. They touched my heart right there and then. And they touch it still," Keith Richards said (Transcribed by Rock and Roll Garage). Ronnie Spector passed away in 2022 at the age of 78, victim of cancer. At the time the Rolling Stones guitarist released a statement, saying: "This is so sad. Ronnie was a very dear friend and she leaves a huge gap. How I’m going to miss that infectious laugh and that great voice! My deepest condolences to her family and loved ones. One love," he said. Elvis Presley "Mystery Train" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njw2oB8oRTs&list=RDnjw2oB8oRTs&start_radio=1&pp=ygUdRWx2aXMgUHJlc2xleSAiTXlzdGVyeSBUcmFpbiKgBwE%3D The second song mentioned by Keith Richards in his autobiography was "Mystery Train" by Elvis Presley. He gave the song as an example of how primordial rhythms are and said it was one of the best of all time. "There’s something primordial in the way we react to pulses without even knowing it. We exist on a rhythm of seventy-two beats a minute." "The train, apart from getting them from the Delta to Detroit, became very important to blues players because of the rhythm of the machine, the rhythm of the tracks, and then when you cross onto another track, the beat moves. It echoes something in the human body. So then when you have machinery involved, like trains, and drones, all of that is still built in as music inside us." "The human body will feel rhythms even when there’s not one. Listen to “Mystery Train” by Elvis Presley. One of the great rock-and-roll tracks of all time, not a drum on it. It’s just a suggestion, because the body will provide the rhythm. Rhythm really only has to be suggested. Doesn’t have to be pronounced. This is where they got it wrong with “this rock” and “that rock.” It’s got nothing to do with rock. It’s to do with roll," Keith Richards said. Keith Richards said "Mystery Train" showed the essence of Elvis' sound</h4> When Elvis’ first album, released in 1956, was part of the documentary series “Classic Albums” in 2001, Richards said hearing the record was like the world had gone from black and white to co lor. “He hit it like a bombshell. It was like the world went from black & white to technicolor. I guess they were the first white band that anybody heard of with a good lead singer, that was sailable. They had the rhythm. The beautiful thing about Elvis was that he sort of turned everybody into everybody (and made people think) ‘maybe you can do it’.” Keith Richards continued: “I was just as interested in the band as I was in Elvis. So I just considered him to be part of it, you know, Bill Black, Scotty Moore and D.J. Because of the early ones (Elvis albums) didn’t have drums on it. This is the funny thing he is the king of Rock and Roll and some of his earlier records don’t actually have drums. That's the essence right there (of Elvis) 'Money Honey', 'Mystery Train', 'Baby Let's Play', 'I’m Left, You’re Right, She’s Gone' (I still can't play that one properly). The sound and the attitude on those are so pure, so unforced, joyous. There was an enthusiasm that came out right off the tape from Elvis and the band,” Keith Richards said (Transcribed by Rock and Roll Garage). Like most artists of his generation, he was deeply influenced by Elvis Presley. But he was more interested in the singer’s band than in the frontman himself. When asked which bands he would like to have been a member of, his choice was Elvis' original band and in interview in 2008, Keith said they were one of the greatest bands of all time. “I would start personally with probably The Hillbilly Cats, Elvis’ band. Scotty Moore (Guitar), D.J Fontana (Drums) and Bill Black (Bass). The most amazing stuff and it was very early on.”The post The 2 songs Keith Richards said are among the best of all time appeared first on Rock and Roll Garage.

Money conversations between women are essential. This is where women can drop their guard, admit their mistakes, and share the lessons they have learned at a high cost. Recently, a powerful discussion erupted online when women on the subreddit r/AskWomen were asked a simple question: "What's the hardest money lesson you've learned so far?" The responses were raw, honest, and surprisingly universal—revealing financial truths that every woman should know before learning them the expensive way.These aren't just money tips; they're survival strategies from women who've navigated financial hurricanes and emerged stronger. Here are the 11 lessons that repeatedly emerged, each one carrying the weight of experience and the power to transform your financial future: - YouTube www.youtube.com 1. Build your emergency fund like your life depends on it (because it does)A recent survey conducted by U.S. News revealed a shocking truth: Two in five Americans (42%) do not have an emergency savings fund. Even more dismaying, nearly as many (40%) couldn't cover a $1,000 emergency expense with cash or savings, though 60% said they'd had an "unexpected expense pop up in the last year."Unfortunately, a massive part of the problem is a gender wealth gap: nearly half of all women (49%) don't have an emergency fund, compared with just 36% of men who don't. They also have lower balances. Among women who do have emergency savings, the median balance is $6,500. It's $11,000 among men.However, data revealed that emergency savings are the strongest predictor of financial well-being. Findings from Vanguard research indicate that having at least $2,000 in emergency savings is associated with a 21% higher level of economic well-being compared to not having any emergency savings. Emergency funds are crucial. Photo credit: Canva"Emergency funds aren't optional," warned one Reddit user. "Life will throw curveballs when you least expect them."Another person chimed in, "Yup, my husband lost his high-paying job when I was eight months pregnant. I'm about to give birth and still have no job."Then, a separate woman: "[I was] just driving and swerved to avoid [hitting] a rabbit. I hit the curb and needed new tires the same week I needed expensive dental work. Literally every dollar of debt I've been paying off this year just tacked right back on."2. Never make someone else your financial safety netToo many women learn this lesson through divorce, job loss, or relationship endings. Financial dependence isn't romantic—it's risky."Make your own money. Even if you meet someone wealthy who pays the bills, being able to say f*ck off is priceless ☺️" wrote one person on Reddit.via GIPHYAnother echoed this sentiment, writing, "And have things in your name. Build your own credit. Lease your own vehicle. Financial abuse and manipulation in relationships is devastating."Reflecting on their past, someone else replied: "It's so important to have credit in your own name. I stupidly got rid of all my credit cards when I was a stay-at-home mom, and it's taken me eight years of paying bills on time to achieve a good credit score finally. No credit is worse than bad credit. You never know what curveballs life will throw at you."3. Bank approval doesn't mean you should say yes"Just because you're approved for it doesn't mean you can afford it," warns one Reddit user. "Congrats! You're approved for a $500K mortgage! But can you afford $3,500 a month just for the mortgage? (On top of all the other house costs, like food, clothes, electricity, and water?)Another person chimed in: "THIS! My Husband and I sat down and did the math on 'Here's what we make, here's what we owe, here's what we can afford for our monthly mortgage to be.' Then we went to a mortgage lender, and they ran their program, saying they'd give us a loan for twice what we knew we could afford. I'm so glad we did the math ourselves first and didn't take their word for it, or we'd have been headed to foreclosure for sure!" - YouTube www.youtube.com Here's the cold reality: Banks make money from your debt. A pre-approved credit limit or loan offer isn't a financial blessing—it's a business opportunity. Banks see your income and think "customer potential," not "what's best for this person's financial future."Try the 48-hour rule: wait two days before accepting any credit offer, and ask yourself if you actually need it.4. Lending money often means losing moneyMixing money with relationships is like mixing oil and water—it doesn't make sense and often creates an entire mess.That $500 loan to a friend often becomes a $500 lesson about boundaries. Before lending money to anyone, ask yourself if you can afford to lose it completely. If the answer is no, the answer to the loan request should also be no. A simple, "I'm sorry, I can't lend you money," is a complete sentence and a complete answer."Don't lend money unless you can afford to never get it back," writes one replier. "I lent someone over $5,000, and when I asked for it to be repaid, she blocked my number and ghosted me."5. Credit card debt is quicksandCredit cards aren't emergency funds—they're expensive traps. A recent Experian survey found that nearly 25% of Americans are struggling to manage their debts. Meanwhile, LendingTree reports that the average APR offered with new credit cards is 24.23%.One Reddit user recommends using a 0% APR credit card to reduce your credit card debt. "0% APR is good," they write. "Create a calendar reminder to remember when it ends. Before that [date], pay off your credit card bill and use it like a debit card. If you can't pay it within two weeks, don't use it. Pay off your card twice a month." Credit cards are a slippery slope into debt. Photo credit: CanvaThis echoes Experian's advice for paying down debt and improving financial literacy. They endorse the 50/30/20 budget, which allocates 50% of your net income for essentials, such as groceries and rent; 30% for discretionary spending, such as entertainment; and 20% toward savings and paying off debt.6. Trust, but verify—even in loveIt's not fun to talk about, but financial infidelity affects relationships more than physical infidelity, according to financial therapists. Research also shows that women's financial independence is an essential aspect of gender equality within heterosexual couples because it liberates women from fear of obligation to men. It's been proven time and time again that financially dependent (versus independent) women are more likely to experience poverty, material deprivation, and marital instability.People online put it more bluntly: "Unfortunately, don't trust your partner with your finances," one writes. "Don't take their word for it because they're a liar. They've been lying to your face for a year. The savings you thought you had are all gone."Another person replied, "As the partner that manages the money in my marriage, I second this so loudly. I'm responsible for our finances and trustworthy. But you shouldn't trust anyone with your financial security. I make sure my husband is aware and involved. He doesn't care, but everyone [else] should. If he wanted to leave me tomorrow, he should have access to funds to do so and the knowledge of how much there is and isn't, how much debt we have, etc."They continue:"Knowledge is power, people. Any investment decisions or purchases exceeding $200 must be discussed and approved by both parties. Even if your money is completely separate, it's essential to know how your partner manages their own finances. Because you're on the hook for their mistakes in some way/shape/form at the end of the day."7. Your own bank account is non-negotiable"Keep a separate bank account with yourself as the only signer," urges a Redditor. "You are not required to tell anyone that you have it. Consider keeping a joint account for communal bills with your significant other, but keep all other expenses in your own separate account. This wedding advice was given to me 20 years ago by my aunt, who has been happily married for 40 years. She was right then—and still is. - YouTube www.youtube.com Financial independence starts with financial access. Having your own account isn't planning for divorce—it's preparing for life. Even you need your own money in your own account. This isn't about hiding purchases or planning an exit strategy; it's about maintaining your financial identity and independence.As David Back, co-founder of AE Wealth Management, notes: "You should have your own account, both of you. It's absolutely critical, especially for women, that you keep money in an account that's yours that you control.""8. "No" is a complete sentence.Women are socialized to be helpful and accommodating—often at the expense of their own financial security."It's OK to say no when someone asks you to loan them money," one person reminds. "I have the hardest time saying no to friends and family, and have an even harder time asking them to pay me back. Now I just say, 'I'm sorry, I don't have any money I can loan you.'"Remember: You don't need to justify, explain, or apologize for protecting your money. Whether it's a loan request from family or pressure to cosign for someone, "No, I can't do that" is sufficient. Your financial boundaries aren't suggestions—they're requirements for your security.9. Payday loans are financial poisonHere's a stat that will make your blood run cold: The annualized interest rate for a payday loan often exceeds 10 times that of a typical credit card. These loans cost $15-$30 per $100 borrowed, resulting in an annualized rate of 360%-780%, and they rarely help people build credit, often trapping borrowers in debt cycles."Don't take out a payday loan. Credit cards are not money. Don't mess with the IRS. And most importantly, protect your credit score. That number is everything," writes a woman on Reddit. - YouTube www.youtube.com Payday loans aren't emergency solutions—they're emergency creators. If you need emergency cash, consider exploring credit union loans, nonprofit assistance programs, or asking family before resorting to payday loans.10. Trust your bank's romance scam warningsHave you ever received a financial request from a stranger on social media or a dating app? Maybe posing as an old classmate or a potential romantic match, these predators work their magic on you—being charismatic, gaining emotional trust—before things take a turn, and they suddenly ask for money, citing a medical emergency, travel expenses, a lost passport, or a frozen bank account.Sadly, this is the classic setup for a romance scam—a dangerous and growing form of fraud that preys on emotions. Corebank reports that victims often "lose hundreds or even thousands of dollars, believing they are helping someone they deeply care about—only to later realize they were deceived."A banker on Reddit warns others of romance scams, writing: "If your bank tells you it's a suspicious account and refuses to send your wire transfer, trust them! You are susceptible to romance scams." Don't stress yourself out over a romance scam. Photo credit: CanvaAnother shares, "My best friend fell for one of these. We're all dumbfounded because she's smarter than that. She didn't listen to any of our warnings. I'm not sure if the bank tried to warn her, but if they did, she didn't listen. ?"Corebank also found that romance scams disproportionately affect individuals over 55 years old (52%), which isn't to say that younger demographics are immune to their charms, with 11% of victims falling between the ages of 18 and 44.How bad is this problem? According to the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), romance scams, also known as confidence scams, are a growing problem in the United States. In September 2021, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issued a warning that its Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) had received more than 1,800 complaints related to online romance scams, resulting in losses of over $133.4 million.Make sure to protect your heart—and your wallet!—while talking to people online!11. Permission to spend money on yourself, grantedSometimes, the best financial advice for women is: to spend your dang money."I grew up poor, like, 'electricity was off sometimes' poor," recounts one woman. "Now, with my fiancé—who loves to spoil me—it's so hard for me to let him spend money on me. He can buy me a soda, and I'm like, 'But it's $3…' I'm constantly asking him, 'Is this OK?' when I get something. [I've learned from him] that it's fine to say, 'Money comes, money goes.'via GIPHYWhere does this guilt come from?The UN reports that when women work, they invest 90% of their income back into their families, compared with 35% for men.You don't need to earn every purchase through suffering or justify every treat. Spending money on yourself isn't selfish—it's necessary. Whether it's the massage that helps you recharge or the course that advances your career, investing in yourself is investing in everyone who depends on you. Build "personal spending" into your budget and spend it guilt-free.The bottom line: Your financial story starts hereWhat's beautiful about this thread is that these lessons weren't learned in classrooms or from textbooks—they were earned through real experience, tough decisions, and sometimes painful mistakes. And what's even better? You don't have to learn them the hard way.Every woman who shared her story did so hoping to spare another woman the same financial heartbreak. Their wisdom is your shortcut to financial confidence.Pick one lesson that resonates most with you. Take one small action this week. Open that savings account. Have that money conversation. Set that boundary. Your future self—and every woman watching your example—will thank you.Because when women control their money, they don't just change their own lives. They change everything.

Is there any social situation more inherently awkward than sitting next to a stranger on an airplane? It's not like a bus or a train, where you can get up and change seats if you're not thrilled with your seatmate. And with airplane seats getting increasingly cramped, you're inevitably invading one another's personal space in some capacity. Where else in life are you quite literally trapped for hours in such close proximity to someone you've never met and are unlikely ever to see again? Some people enjoy making small talk on flights, finding it the most natural thing in the world to chit-chat with the person sitting next to them. Others find the prospect of talking to a stranger with no opportunity to escape the stuff of nightmares, and do everything they can to avoid it. Since you never know who you're going to sit next to, it's like a game of roulette, and people tend to have pretty strong opinions on their own preferences. But are there any actual rules of etiquette that come into play for chatting with strangers on airplanes? Some people love chatting with strangers.Photo credit: CanvaThe biggest "rule" is to pay attention to one another's social cues, which is easier for some people than for others. Most people make it fairly obvious if they are open to conversation. If someone is wearing earbuds or headphones, that's a clear indication that they are not really interested in chatting. If someone is reading, a brief greeting is appropriate, but then let the person continue the conversation if they want to. If the person looks at you and smiles, there's a good chance they're down for shooting the breeze, at least a little bit.But what if you're on the receiving end of someone's eagerness to chat and you don't really want to? You can use headphones or earbuds, but if you don't have any or prefer not to wear something in or over your ears, there are other options. Reading a book or looking at your phone sometimes works, though a lot of people will still offer a greeting. You can indicate that you're not really up for conversation by responding to any additional chit-chat with polite, one-word answers and avoiding reciprocating with "How about you?" There's also nothing wrong with saying, "I'm going to read/watch a movie/sleep/have some quiet time now," if someone isn't picking up your cues. It may feel awkward to be direct or not reciprocate if you're accustomed to standard small talk, but the social situation on an airplane requires different approaches. Earbuds and reading are cues that someone's not up for a conversation.Photo credit: CanvaIs it rude not to talk at all? Is it rude to ask people questions about themselves? In reality, there are no clear right or wrong answers here. The only thing that's actually rude is ignoring someone's cues that they don't want to talk. A brief greeting is generally polite, but beyond that, it's really up to the people involved to determine whether the plane ride will be spent in side-by-side silence, engaging conversation, or something in between. Of course, some people go as far as to say you should "always" or "never" strike up conversations on airplanes, but most of us fall somewhere in between. It might even vary individually from flight to flight—maybe you've had a long trip or a hard day and want some solo reflection time, while at other times you might be feeling more social and enjoy some human interaction. The most important thing is to recognize that there's a huge spectrum of preferences on this front. Just look at how these takes from a Reddit discussion on this topic differ so drastically: "When you are boarding, it’s acceptable to let someone know you are sitting next to them, or perhaps say a simple hello. You should always treat others with courtesy, particularly the flight crew (eg, politely letting a seat mate know you need to use the restroom, placing a drink order). And it’s occasionally ok to strike up a conversation while deplaning as the other person is no longer trapped. Other than that, quietly keep to yourself.The chances the person next to you just wants a moment to themselves is high. They had a long work trip. They are returning from a funeral. They are leaving school after finals. Even if they are relaxed, the chances they want to spend the flight speaking with a stranger who has a solid 50% chance of being insane is also low. No good can come of cornering someone in a tiny metal tube with no escape at 30,000 feet for multiple hours. It can only make someone feel trapped, desperate, and claustrophobic. And we’d all rather just listen to music, work, or watch a movie." – LazyConstruction9026 Some people want to be left alone on flights.Photo credit: Canva"Yeah chatting with someone on a plane is a great way to make the time pass quickly. It's also really easy to tell if someone's into it and if they aren't I just do something like watch a movie or play my Switch.I'd have missed out on a lot of cool people's stories if I didn't strike up a random convo on the plane. One person was headed to Mexico for a month to be the first to climb a 14-pitch 5.14b they had there with no falls. A father was moving him and his family from Canada back to Mexico to run a church/shelter. Then there was a dude from Norway that talked about how he was working at Disney in a Norway-themed restaurant for a year which was super interesting to learn the logistics of.There's a lot of cool people out there that are open to conversation and have awesome stories to share that make the time fly." – Romestus"I was on a 16 hr flight from Dubai to NZ and ended up sat in between an old kiwi farmer from the South Island and an old kiwi farmer from the far north. They got on like a house on fire. They apologised for talking over me probably 50+ times but truthfully I was overjoyed to hear their life stories and watch them become friends and ultimately exchange phone numbers. At some point we established that all 3 of us were returning home from watching the America’s Cup in Barcelona, and all shared about our relationship with sailing and team NZ. It was honestly delightful." – southernkal"I sit and stare at the seat back in front of me for the whole flight regardless of the length. I have done this forever. I like being alone with my thoughts and it is relaxing for me. I do not want to speak with anyone. It probably looks like I am bored so people start speaking at me. After a few one or two word answers they usually get the idea." – Pawlyplaysthebanjo"I talk to people almost everywhere I go, but I can also understand when someone isn’t interested in chit chat. I’ve gotten job doors opened through plane convos, mentors, and feedback on all manner of things. I’m a social person obviously, and love meeting new people and learning about them - but I also understand not everyone is, even if it makes me sad to sit in silence for an entire flight." – Plastic-Anybody-5929 The key is to read people's cues.Photo credit: Canva"I had to catch too many flights this year due to two very significant deaths in my family. One of them required flying while my mother was on her deathbed. There was no way I wanted to talk to anyone and I’m glad that no one did. I needed that time to process and ground myself because of what I was going through. I’m not sure if I looked unapproachable or if people thought me rude. But I emotionally and mentally could not stand small talk." – invadergirll"I love talking to people in airplanes, airports, etc. but sometimes I don’t want to talk, either. If they don’t seem interested in chatting- I don’t push. Once they put their earbuds in or start looking for something to read or watch, done. If they want to chat though- great!" – Born_blondeYou never know what people are going through and why they might want to or not want to talk. Plane chatting etiquette really boils down to reading people's cues (or learning to do so if it doesn't come naturally) and respecting when someone doesn't want to engage in conversation. In a cramped capsule at 30,000 feet, we definitely need to give one another plenty of social grace and space.

Music with layers. The post Endless creation: The artists Jerry Garcia said “never run out of ideas” first appeared on Far Out Magazine.