<p>I'm not that social as a person and I often find myself getting lunch alone in the dining hall. I usually just mess around with games on my phone. Occasionally, when space is limited someone I don't know will sit down at my table. I just continue messing around on my phone.</p>
<p>Is this rude? Do I have an obligation to trying to talk with them?</p>
<p>It’s not rude, and you’re not obligated, but you are passing up a good networking opportunity.</p>
<p>Nope. I usually read during lunch. I don’t care if someone sits at the same table, but I probably won’t initiate any conversation.</p>
<p>no your not being rude, but at the same time I might try to. who knows, I made a few great friends in those types of situations</p>
<p>Well, considering you’re graduating in the class of 2013, you should probably start networking a lot more.</p>
<p>That’s not rude.</p>
<p>Yes, you are showing a disgusting amount of coldness to your peers. If someone sits down with you, you are obligated to initiate conversation with them and make sure the conversation lasts for the duration of the meal. I would also find the people who you ignored before and apologize to them.</p>
<p>^ It’s sad that people like you are allowed to contribute on CC. Unless you’re joking.</p>
<p>It’s not rude at all. You don’t HAVE to talk to people in the dining hall, but it’s nice to initiate conversation from time to time. I think it would only be rude if someone initiated conversation and you didn’t make an effort to talk.</p>
<p>It’s hard to convey sarcasm in text, you know… I believe the rule of thumb is if you make eye contact, you initiate a conversation. If no eye contact is made, you may carry on as you were.</p>