I notice this a lot, that's why I usually prefer trips with younger guys even reserve captains since they just came from being an FO. Although occasionally you get the ones that got abused so bad as an FO for 10+ years, they finished their upgrade class only 5 months previously and suddenly become as humble as a rock.

A lot of it has having the "FO-dar." How the guy in the left seat acts often dictates how I will. He relaxed and likes to chit chat? Cool, I'm game. Guy who does it by the book? I will do it word for word by the book. Micro-manger? I'm cool being Pilot-Monitoring the entire sequence, I like talking on the radios. The-former-instructor? I'll grasp at every word you say wide eyed and notebook and pen in hand. Former marine, it's-my-*******-aircraft-I'll-do-what-ever-I-want-this-is-my-side-that -is-your-side-understood? You will hear nothing but "check list complete" and I will watch the ground (or clouds) go by.

About the only thing I will put a stop to is political talk. I don't care which side they are for or what ever. Politics in the cockpit is a no-no for me. If I sense it is going that way, I will try to chime in "Yeah, I really hate poltics from either side of the aisle. " I'll nod and listen but you won't even get a "yeah" or "Oh really?" from me. Hopefully they will get a hint after their rant is over.