Well, there are different levels of conversation, as you are undoubtedly aware. For the most part, you arent going to find a plethora of cerebrally-stimulating conversation on public transportation. People riding on the bus are only going to make small talk--meaningless conversation that can be ended at any second when somebody else has to get off. I am not sure what kinds of social activities are popular in your neck of the woods, but around here, hookah bars are rather popular. Ive found that, for the most part, they are populated by young, intellectual thinkers like yourself who enjoy the mellow relaxed atmosphere. People go there to read, to smoke tobacco, to study, to write papers, to do art, to meet people, and to have stimulating conversation. I have been to 4 different hookah bars here, some of them multiple times, and they all seem to be pretty stimulating, although some more than others. What can it hurt? Ya go to a hookah bar, pay a few bucks for a hookah, sit down at a table or couch or whatever they have, and wait for people to sit down and talk to you. Or start the conversations yourself. Or shit.. just go there a couple times and observe.

It would seem to me that your unease with crowds stems from a control issue. Statistically speaking, the more people in a given area, the higher the probability of something happening that you didnt predict. You arent sure whats going to happen, and it unsettles you. In time, I have a feeling that the more you get to know your fellow man, the more you will realize he is more predictable than you originally thought

I could be totally off about why you dont like crowds, but Im still throwing out hookah bars as a place for intellectual conversation.