Are there places where people actually are expected to chat on public transportation? NYC subways, the only people talking are insane rambling homeless people, or black people. Everyone else will assume you are a rapist creep if you even make eye contact for a split second.
In Japanese subway, people pretend look at their phone or pretend to sleep to avoid eye contact. They are pretty skilled at resting their head on the arm that is grabbing the bar. And each stop has its own ringtone so they dont need to open their eyes to know where they are.
In France, you can make eye contact but it's a declaration of war.
-One more fucker who want to do a starring fight. Do you think I'm afraid of u? Get rekt! In the street muscle means nothing, what matters is balls!
-take this! It's my number, call me whenever you want...;) you look like a tough guy.