topic How much space do you need in Community Chat

How much space do you need

dex — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 15:39:50 GMT

I was interested in something the poster CRB said on another topic that she didn't appreciate it when people stand too close to her in a line.I don't like it when I am crowded either.I never stopped to think about it before but now I wonder how much space I require between me and the people around me for my comfort zone.Do you have a comfort zone or not.?

Re: How much space do you need

151949 — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 15:44:58 GMT

When we are setting up rooms for events at church the rule there is 18" from the center of one chair to the center of the next one as that is the amount of space people need to feel comfortable.

Airline seats are only 12 " wide and are butted right up to each other, and certainly no one is comfortable in them.

Re: How much space do you need

homedecor1 — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 15:47:37 GMT

normally doesn't both me "closeness" unless its someone with a strong perfume, etc.

but, today I'm going to have to "suck it up" as they say because I'm at the airport and of course, flight delays due to storms out the wazo -- and its crowded!

Guess I'll just be browsing the internet the next 3.5 hours while I keep my fingers crossed flight isn't cancelled.

Merry Christmas!

Re: How much space do you need

bri20 — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 15:49:54 GMT

I think you're too close if you're actually touching me. I try to keep space between me and the next person - in line, in an elevator, or just in general. It really annoys me when people stand too close to me. I don't like that. There is no reason to be so close to someone.

Re: How much space do you need

dex — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 15:51:34 GMT

@151949 Oh so there is scientific fact to this and not just a quirk that some of us have.It is true that I never feel comfortable sitting in an airplane next to a stranger...I kind of thought it had something to do with my moms favourite saying...don't talk to or get close to stangers.

Re: How much space do you need

dex — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 15:53:39 GMT

@homedecor1 Hope your flight leaves on time and you have a safe journey.

Re: How much space do you need

Abrowneyegirl — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 15:56:30 GMT

I find it to be a variable distance directly correlated to how annoying the people around me are!

Re: How much space do you need

just bee — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 15:57:40 GMT

I've never actually measured it, but it's like obscenity/pornography. You know it when you see it.

I know "the distance" required when I "feel" it. And sometimes it depends on who it is that's "invading" my space.

In many cases, if I can feel your breath you're probably too close.

This does not apply to dogs, of course. They can get as close as they like.

Re: How much space do you need

deedledeedeedle — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 15:57:55 GMT

Great topic!

I don't like crowds, either. I don't like it when strangers are squeezed in to a confined space where we would be touching. I say would be because I never let it happen. The thought of their germs & odors have me gagging now.

dee

Re: How much space do you need

deedledeedeedle — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 16:06:23 GMT

Forgot to say, traveling mercies to you @homedecor.

Hopefully you have a book with you or your kindle.

dee

Re: How much space do you need

Mary Bailey — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 16:01:02 GMT

I don't need much space, until someone starts coughing or sneezing, then I cannot get far enough away!

Re: How much space do you need

sidsmom — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 16:08:13 GMT

Leave it to Science to tell us!

"Proxemics is the study of human use of space and the effects that population density has on behaviour, communication, and social interaction."

Re: How much space do you need

deepwaterdotter — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 16:28:42 GMT

10' -12' would be ideal for me.

Re: How much space do you need

Lorelei1123 — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 16:37:58 GMT

I definitely have a comfort zone and it's pretty wide - - LOL!!! I've become rather claustrophobic over the years and dislike feeling crowded.

Of course, as I type this, I've got two cats laying all over me. I'm fine with that

Re: How much space do you need

lianne — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 17:08:22 GMT

good thing most of you don't ride the NYC subway at rush hour!

Re: How much space do you need

cherry — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 17:25:42 GMT

It actually varies with each person. When my son was in sub school ,one of the guys confided to my son, he had claustrophobia. My son suggested he tell the person in charge about this. He didn't want to, he said he would be fine

They take the new submariners out for a trial run. He fell apart. I have been on a sub once, and there is no space ,period. You have to be able to tolerate this .

Re: How much space do you need

CelticCrafter — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 17:37:02 GMT

If you are behind me in line at the supermarket and your grocery cart is ramming me in the behind, then you're too close.

When it comes to strangers and public places, I prefer my personal bubble of space to be around 3 feet on all sides of me.

Re: How much space do you need

Moonchilde — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 17:58:15 GMT

It varies according to the situation. If I'm in a crowd of people like at a parade, trying to see someone/something, or waiting for "the doors to open" somewhere, I have more tolerance to people pressing against or accidentally elbowing me. But I try not to be in that situation very often.

In public, standing in a line, at the mall, etc. I'm guessing 2-3 feet. For sure, don't touch me, push me, etc. when I know you don't have to be due to crowds. I get VERY cranky with "push-y" people who do it to get you out of the way, move faster, try to et in front of you, etc. BACK OFF!

Re: How much space do you need

momtochloe — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 18:05:56 GMT

@CelticCrafter wrote:
If you are behind me in line at the supermarket and your grocery cart is ramming me in the behind, then you're too close.

When it comes to strangers and public places, I prefer my personal bubble of space to be around 3 feet on all sides of me.

Oh goodness @CelticCrafter does this take me back . . . as I took care of my parents I am very respectful of older folks (of which I am one now) but one time when I was standing in a grocery line this elderly lady kept ramming her cart into my back (please know if I had had the option of her going in front of me I would have done it but we were locked into the current configuration) . . . I put up with it for a while and finally decided she was just being rude and gave her cart a good shove with my backside . . . we got along famously from that point forward . . .

Re: How much space do you need

bri20 — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 18:10:32 GMT

One time we were at the museum to see the coal exhibit. There are stairs that you have to wait on. This woman insisted on standing on the same stair rung as me. There was absolutely no reason to do that. I finally had to tell her to give me some space. She looked insulted.