Traveling alone is almost a contradiction in terms these days. Even if you’re flying solo, you’re still on a flight with scores of other travelers. Airports, hotels, restaurants and conference rooms are all populated with travelers. Some are local and some come from a considerable distance, but you all are there. Together.

Traveling alone offers a good opportunity to take a personal inventory of your own travel etiquette. As you will never see many, if any, of these people ever again, it is sometimes an instinct to eschew typical ‘workplace courtesies’. This is a gamble, as these strangers also know they won’t be seeing you again and are likely to respond in kind. For example, personal space is valuable and at a premium in most airports and on the planes. If you decide to stretch your feet out whole seated or overextend your allotted elbow room on the arm rest, then someone’s already limited personal space is now more limited. This is a no-no.

Personal space also applies to the auditory senses. When traveling alone, it’s common to listen to music or watch a movie, perhaps even catch a nap. In these cases be aware of your personal volumes. Headphones are a must (noise-canceling are great), but even then never at full blast. It should go without saying to not leave your laptop volume on sans headphones. As for napping, go ahead, you need your rest. That said, know your snoring habits and make appropriate adjustments for the courtesy of your fellow passengers.

They say “one is the loneliest number,” but when traveling alone, it doesn’t have to be.

– David Coker, advertising manager