I like my commute to be my quiet time, but many days someone I know from town sits next to me on the train. I can’t really say, “Sorry, I just want to stare into space.” I resent having to make small talk. What can I do?

No, you can’t say, “Sorry, I just want to stare into space,” but you can pull out a novel and say, “I’d love to chat, but I have to finish Water for Elephants for my book club tonight.” Or take out a newspaper and say, “It’s my new goal to read the paper every morning.” You can even pull out your BlackBerry and say that you need to prep for an early morning meeting. And on days when you really need to zone out? Start your commute early, or walk all the way down the platform to the end of the train, where Chatty Cathy is less likely to lie in wait.