Why We Act Bizarre In Airports

Is it just me, or does anyone else adopt a completely different personality when they’re in an airport? I’m not sure what comes over me, but every single time I go into travel mode, I suddenly acquire the most unusual habits and loss of inhibitions that I’d never let fly in my day-to-day life.

I’m generally pretty strict about my diet. But I’m even stricter about my spending habits. I follow a rigorous keto lifestyle and you’ll never catch me shelling out more than a couple of bucks on a snack. Yet, for some odd reason, whenever I’m at the airport, I go into this bizarre mode where I’ll buy a whole mess of junk food, sugary drinks, and candy… all for a whopping $50 bucks! It doesn’t make any sense. Why do I seem to act the polar opposite of my usual self as soon as I get through TSA pre-check?   

I recently confessed to my sister about my strange airport behavior and the rituals I’ve adopted whenever I travel solo. While I thought my sis would be weirded out by my behavior, I was surprised when she revealed that she also does weird rituals. But instead of overspending on junk food, my sis hits the airport bar and orders up a bevy of outrageous fruity cocktails. Even if it’s at 7 in the morning! While she’s usually super responsible and punctual, whenever she’s in airport mode, she’ll guzzle down drinks like it’s her last day on earth. 

This made us both wonder: why do we behave so strangely at airports? Why do our usual inhibitions and routine habits seem to fly right out the window? Is there some sort of psychology at play here? 

There most definitely is. According to environmental psychologists, our surroundings play an integral role. 

How Environmental Factors Influence Our Behaviors 

It’s not exactly a secret that we adopt completely different behaviors and identities based on our external surroundings. According to Stanford Research, “Who we are depends on where we are.” 

Yeah, that sounds just about right to me. For instance, while I was in school, I was perceived as a total wallflower. But when I went off to summer camp, I was the most popular and outgoing girl in the program. Similarly, my high school boyfriend was considered the smartest guy in school, but once he went off to the hallowed halls of the Ivy League, he told me he was seen as “the slow one.”  

But is it the settings themselves that alter our personas? Or is it the people themselves messing with our behavior? Like, when you’re around your closest friends and family, you’re goofy and carefree and that’s the polar opposite of the straight face you put on at the office. Sometimes, it has less to do with your surroundings, and more to do with how you’re engaging within the nature of your interactions. 

At airports, the dynamic is rather unnatural, because you’re in a hectic, enclosed space that’s packed with strangers. Since these are people you’ll likely never see again, you might feel comfortable doing things in public that you’d never do when around individuals who are a part of your inner circle and daily routine. That’s why you’ll drop to the filthy floor and stuff your face with Twizzlers that cost $12 a bag! Who cares about being civilized when you’ll never see these people again?

Stress Makes Us Do Loopy Things

Another reason our airport behavior goes off the rails? Most of us are juggling sky-high stress levels the moment we switch into travel mode. Whether that’s anxiety about boarding our upcoming flight on time, nerves regarding our upcoming trip, or simply a disoriented state due to your change-up in routine, it’s inevitable that you’ll be unnerved while waiting at the gate. That’s why we end up doing all sorts of odd little things to self-soothe — like me, clutching multiple bags of Hot Cheetos and chocolate chip cookies like they’re emotional support snacks.

On top of that, everyone around us is so wrapped up in their own travel stress and anxieties, they barely notice how bizarrely we’re acting. So, it’s a win-win situation! We get to act as kooky as we want, without our fellow travelers giving a hoot. The things you’d never dream of doing in front of your boss or family feel totally acceptable at the airport. 

So, the next time you’re prepping for take-off, let your freak flag fly! Don’t worry — the travel brain is a scientifically accepted phenomenon.