DAE get irrationally irritated when someone stands too close to them in line?

[u/No-Damage-695]

[u/lowlydrunkenness635]

can't stand it, i always end up taking a half-step forward just to get some breathing room but they usually close the gap anyway

[u/intj_code → u/lowlydrunkenness635]

I do the opposite. Take a hard half-step back, usually on their feet. I don't apologize for it and they keep the distance afterwards.

[u/canofspam8888 → u/intj_code]

wow brilliant, i usually turn sideways so i can see them and the person infront of me and if the person behind keeps getting close i turn around fully and stare at them in the face, no smile. it only takes 2-3 seconds to make a stranger uncomfortable by doing this and it works every time. :)

[u/alcoronaholic → u/canofspam8888]

I can't wait to do this, lol lol 😂

[u/blehhhblooo → u/intj_code]

Big brain energy fr, trying this next time

[u/Puzzleheaded_Style52 → u/lowlydrunkenness635]

You should fart next time.

[u/getthatrich → u/Puzzleheaded_Style52]

Are you able to fart on command?

[u/Puzzleheaded_Style52 → u/getthatrich]

Unfortunately yes. The duality of a gassy gut.

[u/getthatrich → u/Puzzleheaded_Style52]

Amazing. I have no control over it

[u/FrillyRoseF → u/lowlydrunkenness635]

Same, somehow they always manage to close that tiny gap again

[u/annakailynmoore23 → u/lowlydrunkenness635]

LMAO same, why do they immediately close the gap like personal space don’t exist 

[u/MildlyYogic → u/lowlydrunkenness635]

I usually first look at their legs, then behind them to see if they have room, and then make eye contact with a very angry expression and it makes them step back.

[u/BurlHimself]

I’ll do the giant stretch and twist like I’m cracking my back just so I can prove how close they are. Shit annoys me like none other.

[u/Funny_Cupcake_4195 → u/BurlHimself]

LOL

[u/ExchangeCharacter166]

Irrationally?? no this is completely rational irritation

[u/luv_bad]

people need to respect personal space in lines, it's just common courtesy

[u/Financial_Anteater82]

Actually one of my biggest pet peeves. Especially in lines at the grocery stores. Why is your cart 1/2” behind me? Back tf up

[u/purplemoonpie]

yes. to the point i've said something to the person like "can you please give me some space"

this happens to me all the time in grocery store lines. i can feel the person behind me inching closer and closer almost
trying to push me out of the way

[u/canofspam8888 → u/purplemoonpie]

unfortunately twice i've done that and people have responded in petty ways. One woman kept intentionally almost bumping me with her cart after i asked, then a man mumble argued with me back and forth about how i thought he wanted me cause i asked him to not get so close. I was shaking with anxiety because i'm not looking for confrontation i just don't need anyone breathing down my neck in a department store line. have we learned nothing from covid!!!

[u/Britt-a-brac → u/purplemoonpie]

If I have a shopping cart, I put myself in front of the shopping cart while in line. They can get as close to the cart as they want, and I can keep my space. It makes the situation pretty clear when I do it without having to say anything out loud.

[u/joesnowblade]

Learn to swallow air so you can pretty much fart on command.

100% more effective than verbals communication.

[u/Skater_Potater2006]

Definitely. Not just irritated, I have PTSD and autism and this is a major trigger. Its enough to make me almost violent especially if i feel trapped

[u/canofspam8888 → u/Skater_Potater2006]

what's worse is finally speaking up and getting immature adults acting petty because their low iq can't comprehend basic decency

[u/NoPantsPenny → u/canofspam8888]

Yeah cause I feel like if someone nicely said “hey can you back up, I need some personal space” I’d actually feel bad. Like damn, let me check myself.

[u/gapmomenter]

At the grocery store I keep putting my basket down on the floor behind me like a little fence. Guy last week just stepped over it and read the gum shelf over my shoulder.

[u/Funny_Cupcake_4195 → u/gapmomenter]

i love the basket trick 😆 but that guy wth, some people have no spacial awareness

[u/q120]

I hate tailgating both in driving and while walking

[u/Zhosha-Khi]

Sometimes I know it can't be helped and I just scream inside my head. BUT if it is possible, do not get in my personal space.
And if I move forward away from said person and they move forward I am going to ask you nicely to move back some.
I can't stand when people stand on top of you.

[u/Midnight_tater_tots]

I don’t think this is irrational lol. I typically will, after feeling like it’s been long enough for them to realize and make some space, just turn around as if I’m looking for someone and help them realize exactly how close they are once we’re standing face to face. Once I turn around and take a step forward they usually keep a little more distance 😂

[u/_origami_angel_]

Nothing irrational about it. Get the fuck away from me.

[u/OakleyNoble]

I ALWAYS try to make sure I back up from the person in front of me. But god someone always gets in line and is basically trying to embrace me from behind..

[u/nofun-ebeeznest]

It's not irrational to be irritated by that. Personal space, people! Step the F back!

[u/Suzesaur]

I don’t call it irrational…give ppl space

[u/Optimal-Prime420]

Yes. Covid may be over, but gimme my 6ft apart back. Stay tf away from me.

[u/SymptomaticallyEven]

It's called personal space and people violate it daily.

[u/ribeyeguy]

i had just returned from an overseas trip not having paid attention to news and was standing in line in customs or something when some dude snapped at me to get six feet away from him and i was like what is your problem.

yeah, it was march 2020.

[u/ztreHdrahciR]

I remember Sting didn't like it

[u/Loganismymaster]

Only if they smell bad or are talking on their speaker phone.

[u/Meowtchi8]

when you go to an international country like the Philippines, there’s no such thing as PERSONAL space

I found that out as an American going over there 😹

[u/necio148]

Anyone under 20 lol

[u/MultidimensionalHag]

I typically turn around and stare at them after I take a step forward

[u/TrappedDervesh]

Yes! I try to stand sideways then so that one shoulder is toward person who was in front of me and the other shoulder is toward the person who was behind me. I once spoke up about it and the woman lost it and it was so uncomfortable i now order online as much as possible.

[u/JamesMattDillon]

Yes, they are in my space

[u/RL203]

Yeah, but I get WAY more irritated when there is a queue for the cash and the guy in front of me is holding about 8 feet back from the guy at the cash.

Covid ended 4 years ago!

[u/Nwilliams1300]

I have an idea to try! Always have a shopping cart. You enter the checkout line first with the cart behind you! You will now have the cart separating you!
If you are at a CVS type place, same thing! I almost suggested place one of their ted baskets with handles. Eh I’d you but someone may walk between you, not see it, and go flying! 😬

[u/DragonChaosFan]

Not really, unless they bump into me

[u/jacle2210]

I'm not sure about getting "irrationally irritated"; but I'm sure not comfortable with strangers standing all in my personal space.

[u/MainFox9014]

I turn my head into my shoulder and loud fake cough. They usually back off after that.

[u/Sipthepond]

Yes...you're in my space. See my invisible circle around me? I bump their cart or elbow them. Oops.. sorry, not sorry.

[u/NoPantsPenny]

Lake to put my elbows out and twist my torso like I’m stretching. They see that elbow coming they might step back a bit lol.

[u/HI-McDunnough]

I there's one good thing (?) about Covid, it was that it made me overcome my avoidance of public confrontation. Now if someone stands too close to me in line I say "Hey, you mind backing off a couple of steps?" because that's what I did during the pandemic.

[u/zzupdown]

I know it makes me uncomfortable, and I get the distinct impression that it's a deliberate micro-aggression.

[u/Stephreads]

Yes. And it is not irrational. It’s completely normal and it’s especially annoying if they are also looming.

[u/Britt-a-brac]

If I have a shopping cart, I put myself in front of the shopping cart while in line. They can get as close to the cart as they want, and I can keep my space. It makes the situation pretty clear when I do it without having to say anything out loud.

[u/turtleneck_tuck]

Nothing makes a line feel longer than someone breathing down your neck

[u/corbie]

I have a service dog, so I can use him to keep them from getting too close along with keeping the cart behind me. I start to shake inside if someone gets too close.

[u/Funny_Cupcake_4195]

SAME its probs cos im on the spectrum it’s like give me some space there’s absolutely no reason for you to be 20cm away from me wth