Personal Space

what is the appropriate distance to stand when youre behind someone on line...????

i was just in borders and literally felt like the people behind me where just inches away... there were three of them and i felt like they were forming a friggin circle around me the the one guy on my right side leaned over and said something.. i could feel his breath on my neck and i actually got the chills when he said something...

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I say a little less than arm's length is the appropriate distance from someone. If I can step back an inch and step on your shoes, you're too close.

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If i cant do a helicopter swing, you are to close!

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If I throw my elbow back and hit you....you're too close

I love when people at the grocery store line inch up so close that I have to ask them if they'd like to swipe my debit card for me.

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Oooh, I hate that.

Generally, I keep about an arm's length behind a person. If someone is so close that I can feel them touch my bag (I usually have a messenger bag with me), then I have to do the ol' shift of the bag as a reminder to them that they are way too close to my bizness.

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Posted by MrsFishstick

Posted by JennZ

If i cant do a helicopter swing, you are to close!

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If any part of you is TOUCHING me, you are WAY too close and I don't understand how it isn't bothering you! This happened to me this morning at Starbucks. The lady behind me touched me three separate times. The third time I turned around and glared.

But honestly, what is the problem with just leaving an appropriate amount of space? WHY do people need to stand so close? Do they think it will get them to the front of the line faster?

Sorry, this is a MAJOR peeve of mine and one that was bugging me from this morning still.

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I have a few things on this topic, it's a personal issue for me since people being on top of me makes me claustrophobic

So a story and then a tip:
I used to work at Woolworths (omg how old am I) and a woman was standing online, and a gaggle of other women were standing behind her, like almost on her. She was huffing and hemming and they didn't get the hint. She finally swung around and SCREAMED "WILL YOU GET OFFAME!" They took a few steps back then

The tip:
my husband moonlights as a magician, and he does walk around magic. If people are standing behind him he takes a step back to be in their personal space, hopefully they take the hint. If not he takes another step back and when he hits them, says Oh did you want to buy me a drink? and when they ask um why, he says because you were 2 seconds away from 3rd base, so I figured you'd want to lube me up!

It works everytime, and usually people just laugh

Message edited 1/31/2011 2:34:58 PM.

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ughhhh... when i feel like someone is too close i throw back my elbow (not very discreetly). if i hit them, they were definitely too close. If not, I just look like a gyrating azz.

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This is my bigeest Pet peeve! Once A guy was right up close to me in CVS while I was entering in my debit PIN # and I said "can I help you?" and he backed off.

I don't understand why people have to be right up my farkin a$$ in line. When I feel breath I rage internally! or when I move up and then they move up! Drives me nuts!!!!

If I'm in the supermarket or in Target I put the cart between meand the person behind me. It helps

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wow
This is a HUGE problem i have when going to the stores, or on top of me or sneezing or coughing on me

Usually if i feel them touching me i will shoot a nasty look.

A few times while waiting on line this girl was like up my A$$ and when it was my turn to go to the register she actually cut me
walked right around me

I was at the supermarket once and this guy tried to cut me as well because he had one item and i had 2 items he goes ugh what am i supposed to do, i said wait in line like everyone else!

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Message edited 1/31/2011 2:42:52 PM.

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Ya know what....all the threads that have come up here lately (eating in a supermarket; merging into traffic; etc...)...I could really give less than a rat's azz about. People can do what they want...doesn't phase me.

But THIS...when people are practically dry humping you on the checkout lane...DRIVES ME INSANE. If I can hear your heart beating, you're way too close for comfort!

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I need my personal space.

I ride subways and deal with it but on line bugs me.

I was on line at Shoprite not too long ago and the woman in back of me stood at the end of her cart next to me, right next to me. I was standing at the front of my cart. That bugs me!!

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I really hate it when that happens - and it happens too much when I am out to lunch and shopping in the 34th Street/Herald Square area

I definitely use the elbow and bag shift moves. Another favorite move of mine is the stand still/act oblivious tactic. These people will freak out if you don't move as soon as the person in front of you moves...so I intentionally look at my phone or rummage through my bag, causing a large gap between myself and the person in front of me. The pushy person will often say something to me and I'll be like "oh" but still stand there and very slowly move up

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Huge pet peeve of mine.
Just yesterday I was in Stop n shop and the guy behind me was crawling up my azz.
I actually backed up and pulled my wagon back with me so he'd get the hint.
It's disturbing because I'm putting my PIN number in and I don't need you lookign over my shoulder.
BACK OFF!

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Posted by amL220

I really hate it when that happens - and it happens too much when I am out to lunch and shopping in the 34th Street/Herald Square area

I definitely use the elbow and bag shift moves. Another favorite move of mine is the stand still/act oblivious tactic. These people will freak out if you don't move as soon as the person in front of you moves...so I intentionally look at my phone or rummage through my bag, causing a large gap between myself and the person in front of me. The pushy person will often say something to me and I'll be like "oh" but still stand there and very slowly move up

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If we're in Manhattan, you're too close.

ETA: I've actually asked someone online behind me before, "Hey, would you like to just climb up onto my shoulders and call it a day?"

Message edited 1/31/2011 3:34:50 PM.

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Re: Personal Space

Posted by AngnShaun

Posted by amL220

I really hate it when that happens - and it happens too much when I am out to lunch and shopping in the 34th Street/Herald Square area

I definitely use the elbow and bag shift moves. Another favorite move of mine is the stand still/act oblivious tactic. These people will freak out if you don't move as soon as the person in front of you moves...so I intentionally look at my phone or rummage through my bag, causing a large gap between myself and the person in front of me. The pushy person will often say something to me and I'll be like "oh" but still stand there and very slowly move up

and fyi, i was in the Borders next to MSG... it must be this area!