Get the hell out of my personal space!

[Lace Neil Singer]

I was in a shop at the checkout paying for shopping yesterday, when this man stepped forward and stood so close to me, I could feel his breath on my cheek. The following conversation then took place.

Me: Me
SM: Stupid man

Me: Excuse me, you're standing too close. Can you step back?
SM: I'm not.
Me: Yes, you are. You're standing too close to me and I don't like it.
SM: You're nearly finished, so what's your problem?
Me: My problem is is that I don't like people invading my personal space. Now, you have a choice, either step back or I'll scream at the top of my voice.
SM: (looks nervous, steps back)

I would, too. One thing I absolutely hate is when people invade my personal space. It makes me feel edgy, and I have to fight the impulse to slap them. The threat to scream seems to work as well, tho with most people it never gets that far; they step back as soon as I tell them the first time.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

I hate perverts. Good for you.

Guy did that to a friend of mine who was working alone third shift. Came up behind her like that, she screamed VERY loudly, and he pissed himself.

Nice.

[blas]

I hate people like that. My most recent "Bubble violation" involved a woman at Arby's at the mall (it's a food court, so there isn't a ton of room, but this was just crazy). This middle aged woman behind me practically had her nose in my hair. There was no one behind her, she could have stepped back, oh, 3 steps or more. I was frightened for a second that she was so hungry and impatient that she was going to grab my hair and eat it.

I get really nervous when people get too close to me. I've had my rear end grabbed, my hair pulled (by little kids in shopping carts) and smelled some awful breath against my cheek in the past, not to mention people who spittle when they talk, people who talk so close to you that you fear they're coming in for a kiss................I wouldn't wish that kind of violation to even my worst enemies.

[shelly2jn]

God, I really hate that. Standing in line, rancid breath on back of neck (cause any breath that ain't lovely hubby's is rancid!) Turn around, death glare.........back off please....I'm contagious....works a treat every time!

[Gawdzillers]

not to mention people who spittle when they talk,

Hey, I do that.
I think that's because I don't talk very much, and saliva just kinda builds up. When I do start talking, it flies all over the place.

[powerboy]

I hate people invading my personal space. Too me, if it is unwelcome, then it is not cool

[Kiwi]

I always do the passive agressive

*step back* (bumping into the person) with an oh so innocent "WHOA sorry I didnt realise your were so close to me"

if the person doesnt take the hint.... well im a coward sometimes so I wont do anything, but im rarely out by myself so I will use the other person for protection

[DesignFox]

I hate having my personal space violated. I get very antsy and cranky in crowded places. BACK OFF and don't touch me, especially if I don't know you!

I normally give people the Glare of Doom, or the Death Glance, and sometimes get up the cajones to smack them with my purse when they get too close. I don't see why anyone ever needs to be so close to me when I am cashing out at the store, or waiting in line. Back the F*** Off. Some people have gotten so close to me I have had to turn back the urge to flat out punch them. I don't like being crowded. It's rude, and most of the time, there is no reason for it.

I'll have to try the stepping backwards into someone thing...

[Anakah]

I actually never thought of threatening them with "Move it or I'll scream!" That's pretty good. That'll detour them from doing anything pervy and to move out of your space.

I have a huge issue with anybody getting in my space or touching me. Maybe that's why I love my job. I am behind bars (in the casino cage) and we aren't allowed to touch the customers.

[BookstoreEscapee]

Someone getting that close to me would make me wonder if they are trying to get into my pockets/purse. Or into my pants, which is equally unwelcome.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

I don't know what it is about the SCA, but there is a large population of people, mostly men, who think it's okay to walk up behind women and just start giving them a back rub.

Excuse me. A gentleman never touches a lady without her leave. I am a lady, and I sure as didn't give my leave to invade my ing space much less touch me.

I'm not the only person who does not appreciate this, a lot of people don't. So I don't get how it became so commonplace.

Guy came up behind me at supper one night and was poised at the ready behind me before my household all very, very nervously made a big deal out of his presence so I'd turn around and intercept him.

They knew what would happen if he touched me. A scene, shall we say, would have happened. As it was, a cold front of such arctic proportions occurred that that guy is just now getting around to thawing out, and that was over a decade ago.

[Primer]

The very short version: when I was 16, I was grabbed from behind.

Now, over 30 years later, I tend to hit first, ask questions later, if somebody comes up behind me without warning. A few times, even the hubby has almost gotten decked. Luckily, I was able to pull my punch in time when I realized it was him. And yes, I have warned him about it.

[Pagan]

Someone getting that close to me would make me wonder if they are trying to get into my pockets/purse. Or into my pants, which is equally unwelcome.

Unless it's Gerard Butler! (Drool. Somebody hand me a napkin. Just saw "300" and all I can say is DAMN.)

Now, over 30 years later, I tend to hit first, ask questions later, if somebody comes up behind me without warning.

I have the same reaction. It's either going to be an elbow to the ribs or a fist a-la-Legolas in Edoras in the "Two Towers"

One time when I was still at Dillard's, some lady thought it was just fine to grab my forearm to emphasize her point. Well, out of complete instinct, I jerked my arm away pretty hard. Then she had the nerve to try to get mad at me! I said, "I'm sorry, ma'am, but I don't like being touched by strangers." (Strange people on the other hand.... )

I just don't understand why lately people can't seem to stay away from you! Either they remove themselves from my personal space, or I'll do it for you!

[Mighty Girl]

I've also employed the sudden back into them maneuver as well as the purse slap, neither one seems to make much of an impression unfortunately.

On a related note, I hate it when I'm standing in line and someone comes up to stand behind me- and instead stands right beside me. This one woman caught me on a really bad day (broke up with boyfriend, pms-ing, failed a test ,etc) years ago and I just looked at her with the most innocent look you can imagine and asked, "I'm sorry, I can't recall your name. I'm really bad that way" She seemed flattered and said, "Oh, I don't think we've met" I then turned into Evil Girl and snarled, "Oh, well in that case, I USUALLY REQUIRE DINNER AND DRINKS BEFORE PEOPLE GET THIS CLOSE, SO BACK THE F&&K OFF B!TCH".

She actually did a walking sprint to the door. My day started looking up after that

[Rahmota]

Hmm. I must be too manly or scary or something *sniffs at armpits* but I dont have too much bubble trouble.

My wife has had that a few times before. She has done the step back and mash heel on toes or the move your body or lose an appendage glare. I think the best was in the store with a bolt of fabric. She was standing there and the guy got right up close behind her and she saw me coming out of the corner of her eye and brought the bolt back into the guy's happy land. As soon as the guy dropped she got all apologetic and said she didnt know he was that close and how she should be more careful as she said this she let her purse slide off her shoulder and hit the guy upside the head. It was almost as good as a three stooges skit. The guy started apologizing and tried geting the heck out of there only to run into me (dressed in the high plains drifter mode I sometimes do) where I asked the wife if everythign was ok. He said yeah shes fine and took off out of there. The clerk was trying not to bust a gut laughing along with the rest of us.