Why do people stand so close to you while you are in line at such places like (the grocery store, banks, ATM machine lines, gasoline stations, etc...). I mean some people are like right on your back. Do you think they are aware that they are so close? Does this bother you?
2007-04-26 02:05:43 · 30 answers · asked by millineumlaura 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
What are some of the experiences that you had to deal with?
2007-04-26 02:14:01 · update #1
Do you think that most of them are really trying to hurry you up or is there another reason. I never considered that people are trying to hurry me in a line to make it go faster.
2007-04-26 02:16:03 · update #2
I think some people have smaller personal space bubbles than others. My space bubble is at least an elbows distance , so I know how you feel I dont like it when people I dont know stand too close.
2007-04-26 03:03:54 · answer #1 · answered by luv4horses 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
There is this thing called "personal space" - this is the distance that you feel comfortable standing next to another person and for everyone is may be different. I am very uneasy when people are too close to me but many times when i look at them, i realize that they are actually quite comfortable and unaware that they are bothering me. What i would do is when the line moves i deliberately move more slowly and give myself more room or spin around unexpectedly and when you hit the person with your handbag they quickly say sorry and try not to come too close again. It works all the time.
2007-04-26 04:11:55 · answer #2 · answered by ann t 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Read some good books on 'Body Language'
In Esperance in the country area of Western Australia people stand a long way from each other even when chatting. Makes walking round shops difficult. School dance looked silly as even men and wives danced away from each other. They are country people so 'Body space' is big.
In London, England people very close, touching each other in Underground trains etc.. For city people 'Body space' is small.
Depends where you grew up. Country people feel better with big space between: but city people more comfortable close to each other.
For comfort go to type of place you grew up in.
2007-04-26 02:14:36 · answer #3 · answered by teacher groovyGRANNY 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
there are several reasons that people might do this...
for one, they might be trying to *hurry* you along...they might think if they give you a little nudge or a push that you might move faster....and i bet when they get closer to you, you move further away, so it probably works to some degree...
also, you mentioned the ATM line...be careful there...some people will try to get your ATM number and password...you should tell them to back up and put your hand over your screen while you press in your password...refuse to punch in your number until they back up...and get someone from the bank or go to a different ATM if you have to...
some people are also just perverts and weirdos...they like to invade people's space because it gives them some kind of power trip. dont let people push you around...if someone is making you uncomfortable tell them to back up. it is YOUR space, and no one has the right to invade it without your permission :)
2007-04-26 03:42:07 · answer #4 · answered by Cinna 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I notice this also, it's like they think the line will move faster if they get on your back or something. I always try to move a little to the side to see if they get the hint. This makes me very uncomfortable as I have a fear of being trapped, and when people close in on me like this, I start to panic.
2007-04-26 02:09:17 · answer #5 · answered by fmxkrazyone 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I hate this too. People like that want to hurry and get through the line and they think by hunching up on you, it will go quicker. They are wrong of course the only one who can make it go faster is the check out person.
2007-04-26 02:09:06 · answer #6 · answered by Miss T 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
AS you are probably aware this is relative to the size of the community you live in. Out in the rural areas people stand sometimes ten feet or so behind the person in front and you wonder if they are in line or not. In the city sometimes they bump you everytime the line moves
2007-04-26 02:10:30 · answer #7 · answered by Saint Lucipher 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I dont know, but that drives me absolute bananas! I work at a bank and see that happen more than I'd like to. You can tell the person is uncomfortable with the other person breathing down their neck, I have actually asked people to "step back a little please". People are just oblivious to other people and their comfort sometimes. Sometimes I wish the person in front would fart on them or something, that would teach them!
2007-04-26 08:11:48 · answer #8 · answered by Mollyruby 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it bothers me a lot. i hate when people (especially ones i do not know) stand practically on top of me, breathing on me. i was at cvs the other day and the woman in line behind me stood not close behind, but put her stuff down next to my purse on the counter and stood there about 2 feet away from me. i looked at her in a manner that hopefully made her understand that she needs to back up off me and grabbed my purse violently and moved it to the other side of the counter.
it baffles me as to why people feel the need to stand so close to others.
i have told people, while i'm at an ATM, to please move back. there is no reason for the person behind me in line to know my pin number and how much money i am taking out.
2007-04-26 02:10:54 · answer #9 · answered by jack_skellington49 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
ohhh, i just hate the "space invaders"!! I try the subtle thing first: stepping back a little, or moving to the side to open up some space. If that doesn't work, I ask nicely if they would mind not crowding me. After that, they had better watch out, 'cause I'm stomping on some toes!
2007-04-26 04:40:44 · answer #10 · answered by georgiagrits1 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋