Too Close For Comfort

[EvianBaby]

When you are standing patiently in a queue and someone else joins it behind you, why do some people feel need to stand so close to you they are actually making contact. It's not going to make them get served any quicker.

Does anyone else find this a bit creepy.

[didoatwork]

Personal space, some people just don't get it do they? I hate it when they crowd you like that.

[mccfluff]

i hate it, i've been known to move people away from me

[fliptheswitch]

Urghh! I hate it!

it's even worse when that person stinks! Always seems to happen to me in my local shop...

[ChuckFickens]

I like to gently rub myself on other people in queues...

Is this wrong then?

[EvianBaby]

It really makes me feel grossed out. Why would you want to be so close to a complete stranger. And it's not just dirty old pervs, I had a little old lady doing it behind me today.

My usual response is to throw a dirty look over my should and take a step forward. Sadly they usually follow.

[mccfluff]

i;ve had that happen to me :-(

[albaqwerty]

Can't stand it.

It's more than a bit creepy, it's downright rude imo.

[didoatwork]

Take a step back, that usually works for me!

[sometimesit]

I don't get this problem anymore as I have a shopping trolly and they can't get too close. The other thing that I don't like is people facing the 'wrong' way in the queue.

[fliptheswitch]

"I like to gently rub myself on other people in queues...
Is this wrong then?"

Lol! Yes, because your vajazzle may scratch...

[EvianBaby]

ha, never thought of taking a step back instead of forward. I'll try that next time.

[rowanwitch]

trouble is for some cultures the natural degree of separaton is different so they really don't get why it might be uncomfortable. its even worse when you take half a step away and they follow you I have a large handbag so a slightly clumsy repositioning followed by an awfully sorry I disn't think anyone would be so close usually works

[Quassia]

Evian ...
it's very interesting isn't it .. this personal space thing. We feel uncomfortable when someone stands too close .. it's very real and there are reasons for feeling this way. See here ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_space

[fliptheswitch]

It's usually old people that stink.... and tramps.

[didoatwork]

Also personal space is different for different people. You wouldn't mind your children being very close, and maybe your MIL, but strangers, no way!

[pa___ul3]

step on their toes or do a lil tommy squeaker, that should do the job!
I also hate it when you're on a bus and the person sitting next to you gets a little too close.

[mccfluff]

"It's usually old people that stink.... and tramps. "

nope you are very very wrong there

[Squitty]

what about old ladies with no 3 dimensional perspective wandering off down the aisle with the remains of your achilles tendon that they have just painfully removed using the blunt parts of a shopping trolley.

[Barmaid]

People have no comprehension of personal space.

I've often thrown a dirty look behind me or made some short comment. But more than anything else, I've wanted to drop the most appalling fart (not that I've ever managed to do this).

A friend of mine used to get out her mobile phone, dial her own land line and then have a conversation along the lines of "I am only contagious for the next few days, so don't worry I'll be fine by then" and then watch them back right off!

[rowanwitch]

used to hate travelling on the tube in the rush hour always seemed to find the dirty old man or young one who liked rubbing up close....I used to wear stillettoes back then and trust me the weight of a large young woman directed through a tiny surface area can do a lot of damage to a blokes foot.... sorry chuck if it was you... a loud exclamation of 'someone is touching my bum' used to work too.... turn round quick see who is either grinning or sheepish... either one would cop a serious kick in the shins