I think it is a sense for community in a public setting. Think about that villages are/were centred around a market place were trade, gossip, religious service, administrative buildings and so on are at place to attract people and let them exchange everything?

I'm the same as teo

Better question, why can't they pull over to the side instead of standing in the middle of the aisle while Barbara updates Linda on her mother's colon polyps or whatever

Idk who does but it ain't me