I would most definitely rather sit next to someone who quietly stares at me. If the staring got unbearable, I could just look back and give the eyebrow raise. If that didn't help, I could just ignore it.

Here's the problem with talking to people in closed spaces. There is NOWHERE to go. Imagine this weirdo starts yapping away. Sure, maybe you ignore the irritating voice and are interested for the first few minutes. There will come a point, this much I promise, that you'll want nothing more than for them to shut it. And what do you do then? At what point does it become acceptable to stop listening and put on headphones? Or turn around and stop acknowledging the banter?

I'd rather avoid that situation in the first place. Sit down, put on music, start reading, look occupied. If anyone even starts with me I'll give a courtesy "haha," look away and continue to do my thing.