On the other hand, in short-haul two-crew operations it is must now be very uncommon to see a crew member wander around 'talking to passengers'. I flew from Bari to Stansted with FR last week; the captain switched on the seatbelt sign mid-flight and all passengers queuing for the toilet had to return to their seats so that he could pay a visit. The message sent out was clear: passengers cannot 'mingle' with the flight crew in flight.
BH, that is all very well for an airline with experienced F/Os who could handle any emergency on their own. In Europe, I think most would agree there are some carriers where it would be best if the captain, in many cases the only experienced pilot on the aircraft, was not fast asleep in his bunk, but rather at the controls, if something serious happened!